Price Of Condoms Hiked By Over 100 Per Cent

The Population Services International (PSI) Zimbabwe has increased the price of condoms by over 100 per cent with effect from 1 August 2019.

In a memo seen by NewsDay, consumers will part with ZWL$6.00 for a three-pack packet of condoms. The memo reads:

Please note that prices of Protector Plus condoms have gone up effective August 1, 2019.

Before the latest increase, Protector Plus condoms, which comes in various flavours including strawberry, banana and vanilla, were being sold for ZWL$2.00 and ZWL$3.00 in most retail outlets.

Reports indicate that Zvimba district has been hit by a shortage of condoms and contraceptives with fears of a spike in the STIs and unwanted pregnancies. Fungisayi Dube, of the Citizens Health Watch, said:

It is disappointing that sexual reproductive health rights are under threat yet Zimbabwe has made tremendous progress in addressing family planning challenges
and gaps.

Unwanted and unplanned pregnancies will increase, leading to backyard abortions. The government should take these shortages seriously and put women’s lives and health first, for once.

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