Ministry of Health dispels fears of condom shortage blames supply chain challenges
The Ministry of Health has rubbished concerns of a condom shortage in the country, stating that it has an ample supply of the commodity.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha assured the public that there are currently 38 million condoms ready for distribution.
According to Nakhumicha, the shortages experienced in some parts of the country are due to supply chain challenges.
“We have challenges on how these condoms reach mwananchi. And it is because of the process. A health facility or a dispensary has to request condoms. They have to consolidate their request as a county which we receive from the county and send to KEMSA,” she explained.
Nakhumicha also revealed that the ministry is working to ensure that it takes the shortest possible time from order to delivery of the condoms.
“We are working to ensure that it takes the shortest time possible from order to delivery of the condoms,” she said.
In November, the ministry released over 50 million condoms for circulation across the country, however, this was not enough to address the concerns of civil society, notably the AIDs Healthcare Foundation.
“If they were released yesterday or today, what are we saying in terms of between January and now, and if we are serious we are fighting HIV and teenage pregnancies why did it take that long to release the condoms?” said Nelson Otwoma, the executive director of the National Empowerment Network of People living with HIV/AIDS in Kenya (NEPHAK).
“What is the plan after these 50 million are over because they cannot last a year, they can last around six to seven months,” he added.
Despite Kenya making gains in the fight against HIV/AIDs, there is a risk of rolling back if the issue of condom shortage in the country is not addressed.
The government procures 150 million pieces of condoms against a projected demand of 466 million.