Two regions in Tanzania, Njombe, and Shinyala have been affected by a shortage of condoms, an issue that has raised fears that this may lead to an increase in sexually transmitted diseases as well as unplanned pregnancies.
The shortage was confirmed by Tanzania’s deputy health minister Faustine Ndugulile who blamed the shortage on a new procurement policy set in place.
“In the new policy, the government has undertaken the role of providing condoms free of charge cutting off private suppliers who were responsible for doing that in the old system”,Ndugulile said.
However, Mr. Ndugulile said that the government will soon ensure swift supply of condoms across the country.
However, it seems that the Tanzanian government had long seen it coming.
In May 2018, the Tanzanian national body in charge of combating HIV/AIDs, PMOTACAIDS warned of a looming shortage as the country shifted the supply model.
According to statistics from the UNAIDs 4.7% of the Tanzanian adult population is living with HIV and AIDs.
