THE National Health Department says there’s no severe shortage of condoms in the country.
This is despite the current shortage of condoms faced by five districts in Gauteng due to suppliers waiting for the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) sample approval before ordering bulk stock.
On Wednesday, 26 April, National Department of Health spokesperson Foster Mohale said there was enough condoms in the country.
“There are no severe shortages or stockouts of condoms around the country, despite low stock levels in some areas, including in Gauteng.
“The department has been in constant communication with the provincial health departments to establish the stock levels of condoms and other contraceptives in order to make quick interventions where a need arise,” Mohale said.
Acknowledging that there has been delays in the supply and delivery of condoms since the global lockdowns because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Mohale said it was critical to note that South Africa does not manufacture condoms, but condoms are all imported from other countries.
“Before distribution in the country, samples of condoms are subjected to rigorous testing processes for quality assurance by the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS),” he said.
Previously DA Gauteng shadow health MEC Jack Bloom said: “In 2021/22, only 129 million male condoms and 5,2 million female condoms were distributed, a 45% decline.”
But the Gauteng Department of Health spokesperson Motalatale Modiba clarified the statistics.
He said the issue of the supply of condoms was a transversal contract which is managed at a national level by the National Department of Health (NDoH) and Treasury.
“As provinces we can only make orders from the NDoH approved suppliers who each have an allocated quota of the number of condoms they can supply to the provinces as part of the national contract.
“Gauteng is expected to receive a total of 143 072 female condoms and 4 280 772 male condoms monthly.
“We currently receive below the expected number due to supply challenges,” he said.
According to Modiba, from January to March 2023 the department received 932 234 female condoms and 5 754 000 male condoms.
Modiba said although there is a low supply of condoms compared to what the province is supposed to have, there is still enough condoms.
