Zimbabweans are increasingly opting for condoms supplied by private players over those distributed by the government.
During a recent parliamentary debate on HIV prevention strategies, Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Sleiman Kwidini, revealed that many members of the public are rejecting the free condoms provided by the Ministry of Health.
He attributed this trend to stigma, concerns over perceived poor quality, and a growing preference for privately marketed alternatives. Said Kwidini:
The reality on the ground is not about the shortage of condoms. It is the mindset of our population to use the condoms which are being provided by the Ministry.
Sometimes they give it a different name, which people are not confident to use because maybe, I do not understand their reasons.
They now favour the ones which are flavoured, which have a variety of colours, which are provided by the private players. With that, it is now a challenge to the Ministry.
We accept and we also want to make sure, where we procure, the ones we used to supply us, they call them “zvikiti”, are no longer socially acceptable to our users.
Therefore, we want to make sure we rebrand so that they are socially acceptable, like the ones provided by the private players.
Kwidini warned that the current trend could jeopardise Zimbabwe’s progress towards achieving the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, which aim to ensure that 95% of people living with HIV are aware of their status, 95% of those diagnosed receive antiretroviral treatment, and 95% of those on treatment attain viral suppression.
He said that while health institutions are adequately stocked with condoms, persistent stigma surrounding their use is contributing to a rise in new infections.
More: CITE
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