No condoms for Christmas in Masaka

Dec 11, 2018

Virtually all condom dispensers in different heath centres are empty amid high demand. They are mainly supplied by AIDS support organisations such as Uganda Cares, TASO, Rakai Health Sciences Program (RHSP) and others.

CONDOMS  STOCK OUT  HIV/AIDS

An emergency flag has been raised in greater Masaka region over an acute condom stock out.

Health authorities are concerned the scarcity may trigger new HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) during the festive season.

Condoms come third of the recommended strategies in Uganda to prevent against HIV. They come after Abstinence, Being faithful.

Uganda Population HIV Impact Assessment (UPHIA) conducted between August 2016 and March 2017 puts the central region's (central 1) prevalence rate at 8%, which is higher than the national figure of 6.2% especially among adults aged 15 to 64.

The affected region includes Masaka, Rakai, Kyotera, Sembabule, Lyantonde, Lwengo, Kalungu, Bukomansimbi, Kalangala plus Mpigi, Gomba and Butambala.

But Lwengo, Kyotera, Lyantonde, Kalungu, are the most affected by the condom crisis.

In these districts, virtually all condom dispensers in different heath centres are empty amid high demand. They are mainly supplied by AIDS support organisations such as Uganda Cares, TASO, Rakai Health Sciences Program (RHSP) and others.

According to Dr. Sulaiman Kawoya, the Regional Director- Uganda Cares, in Masaka district alone, the prevalence has gone up from 7% in 2017 to 10.7% or above in 2018.

Although he said there are enough condoms in the district, it is not the case in other districts in the region.

In Lwengo, the district health officer (DHO) Dr. Joseph Mutyongoma, said there is an acute shortage, yet people had adhered to using them for protection.

He said both men and women often visit health centres where the dispensers were put, but do not find any.

"We sensitised people about condom use and majority embraced them. However, the scarcity has put them at risk of catching and spreading STIs," he added.

Mutyongoma said condoms are mainly supplied by RHSP, Uganda Cares and other NGOs such as Protecting Families Against HIV/AIDS (PREFA).

He added that majority, especially youth do not have money to buy condoms, while a few who can afford them are too shy to openly buy them from drug shops or clinics.

He further appealed to the Ministry of Health to supply the condoms during the festive season. He further urged the public to do whatever it takes to abstain or look for the money and buy the condoms for their protection.

Still, Kyotera district shares the same dilemma as the demand for condoms among the youth has increased, especially during the holidays.

Dr. George William Waggumbulizi (DHO) explained that the few which are available cannot sustain them during Christmas and the New-year festive.

He explained that the condoms are ordered from National Medical Stores (NMS) and supplied by RHSP every quarter, but they are used up in just a few weeks.

"They have not supplied us for the last two months. What do you think people are using? Some (youth) cannot even afford a pack (3 condoms) of sh2,000," he said.

For Lyantonde and Kalungu districts, the condoms are usually few and will never be enough due to the presence of prostitutes and long truck drivers.

Fred Karumba, a senior nursing officer in charge of condom distribution in Lyantonde, said there's a shortage of condoms. He added that this is a very difficult season when the condoms are needed most, but dispensers are empty.

Karumba further noted that after realising some of their peers had contracted HIV and other UTIs, majority were compelled to use the condoms to avoid falling victims.

"We are still facing a challenge of low uptake of female condoms due to various concerns from women. They claim they have a bad smell, and they are not comfortable. Therefore, they prefer men to wear theirs," he explained.

For Kalungu district, there has never been enough condoms according to the Dr. Ronald Regan Mutebi, the District Health Officer. They get finished in just a few weeks after supply.

He said that during their counselling sessions, sex workers report that some men do not want to use condoms, but in most cases they lack them due to law supply against the demand.

John Bosco Sseruwu, the Lukaya town council area reporter, said several youths do not take the initiative to look for the few available condoms yet majority can abstain from sex.

He added that also some women claim they are allergic to condoms.

In Kalangala, Dr. Hillary Bitakalamire, the District Health Officer, said that any condom shortage may hinder efforts in the fight against HIV. He advised those who have access to condoms to use them correctly or to abstain.

Condom Desk
Vastha Kibirige, the National Coordinator- Condom Desk in the Ministry of Health said 30 million condoms have been stocked to address the demand.

Kibirige noted that they are being tested by the Joint Medical Council (JMS) and will be distributed ahead of Christmas.

 "We have received concerns from different health departments especially upcountry. But we intend to distribute 20 million in three weeks and 10 million later, she said.

She attributed the shortage to the fall out of Uganda Health Management Group (UHMG) in July this year.

According to Kibirige, it is this UMHG that used to handle regular condom supply before it closed business after USAID withdrew its funding over fraud claims.

As a result, JMC came on board to handle condom distribution in the country.

"I am sure we will address the concern since organisations such as Uganda Cares, DKT-International (Kiss Condoms) and others have supported us. We just launched army condoms (Ulinzi) for UPDF soldiers in October," she said.

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