By Steve Chirombo
Chikwawa, November 29, Mana: Over five million male condoms are distributed every year at Chikwawa District Hospital (DHO).
However, the facility distributes less than 50,000 female condoms in the same period which officials have described as a red flag.
The development came to light when Aids Healthcare Foundation (AHF) conducted Condom promotion activity at Bereu Admarc on Sunday.
Chikwawa DHO Condom Coordinator, Mphatso Bukhu said the trend would jeopardize government’s efforts through Ministry of Health (MoH) under the Last Mile Initiative whose aim is to see to it that condoms reach everyone, everywhere.
He said: “From experts’ point of view, condoms are one reliable means of preventing HIV/AIDS, unplanned pregnancies as well as Sexual Transmitted Infections (STIs).
“The sad development is that more women shun accessing condoms hence rampant cases of unplanned pregnancies, STIs as well as HIV/AIDs”.
Bukhu called on women to voice out and demand for condom use as they are rights holders in as far as sex is concerned.
He however, hailed partners in the district such as AHF for aiding government’s efforts in ensuring that condoms are easily accessed.
AHF’s Prevention Officer for Southern Malawi, Jacob Pidini, said the condom promotion activity was to remind communities that condoms are one effective way of getting rid of STIs, unplanned pregnancies as well as HIV/AIDs.
Since 2018, AHF in Chikwawa supports eight health facilities and also distributes Icon Gold and Love condom brands.
Bwabwali Ward Councilor, Gerald Bede said the disparities in condom distribution were not pleasing saying it calls for an improved uptake on condoms especially among women.
“Bereu is developing and therefore has a lot of things happening. To my fellow youths, be agents of change and let’s take up the messages across,” stated Bede.
