Health and Child Care Minister Douglas Mombeshora recently announced a directive for the distribution of a significant stockpile of donated condoms stored at the National Pharmaceutical Company (NatPharm).
This decision came as a response to the unnecessary occupation of valuable storage space, which is needed for incoming deliveries of essential medicines.
Mombeshora addressed parliament last Wednesday, assuring the nation that there are ample supplies of cond0ms available free of charge at various centers across the country.
This statement was prompted by Dzivarasekwa MP Edwin Mushoriwa, who voiced concerns about the financial burden faced by young, s3xually active Zimbabweans from impoverished backgrounds when purchasing cond0ms over the counter.
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Mushoriwa inquired whether the government had taken steps to ensure that condoms were affordable for everyone. In response, Mombeshora emphasised that cond0ms distributed through global funds and the National AIDS Council (NAC) are provided free of charge. He expressed his inability to comment on the market prices of condoms but reiterated that the country has a sufficient supply.
“I am surprised because a few months ago we had a challenge of space at NatPharm, and I ordered that most of those cond0ms be distributed,” Mombeshora explained. “You are keeping a lot of stock, let that stock go out so that we create space for incoming dr_gs and other commodities.”
Mombeshora also raised concerns about potential misuse of the freely distributed cond0ms. “I am not very sure whether these are our commodities that are being sold or whether people are @busing our commodities because when we distribute them for free, they collect them and start selling them,” he said. “I cannot comment on that.”
The minister’s directive highlights the government’s commitment to ensuring the accessibility of condoms to all citizens, especially those who might find the cost prohibitive. It also underscores the importance of efficient management of pharmaceutical resources to ensure that critical medications can be stored and distributed without unnecessary delays.
The move has been widely praised as a practical solution to a logistical issue that also addresses public health concerns. By making condoms readily available, the government aims to promote safe s3xual practices and reduce the incidence of s3xually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancies, particularly among vulnerable populations.
