The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) provides further context to the statistics provided during the response.

It is important to note that the issue of the supply of condoms is a transversal contract which is managed at a national level by the National Department of Health (NDoH) and Treasury. As provinces we can only make orders from the NDoH approved suppliers who each have an allocated quota of the number of condoms they can supply to the provinces as part of the national contract.

Gauteng is expected to receive a total amount of 143 072 female condoms and 4 280 772 male condoms monthly. We currently receive below the expected number due to supply challenges. From January to March 2023 GDoH received 932 234 female condoms and 5 754 000 male condoms.

Some of the condom suppliers have indicated that they are awaiting the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) to approve their samples before making bulk orders from the manufacturers. Consequently, the suppliers are only able to supply a limited number of condoms due to them not having sufficient stock. The GDOH can only issue Quality approved SABS products for safety reasons.

It is important to, however, assure the public that currently Gauteng has condoms, but the supply is low compared to what the province is supposed to have in order to meet the allocated targets.

What shortages of condoms have been experienced this year?

There was shortage of both male and female condoms.

What are the reasons for shortages of condoms?

Contract RT75_condom suppliers did not have stock to deliver to the Gauteng Department of Health from the inception of the new contract in February 2022 as suppliers were awaiting SABS sample approval prior ordering bulk stock from the manufacturers.

In which areas are the shortages most acute.

There are shortages in all five districts i.e. Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, Tshwane, Sedibeng and West Rand health districts.

What has been done or will be done to ensure that there is an adequate supply of condoms all around Gauteng.

Orders were made and delivery of condoms started in August 2022 and is ongoing in all five districts.

Suppliers who have completed deliveries of their annual allocated stock but still have excess stock have been mandated to continue with deliveries.

What are the consequences of condoms shortages?

Increase in Sexually Transmitted infections.

New episode of Male Urethritis Syndrome treated increased from 5 486 in February 2022 to 6035 February 2023 when shortages were reported.

Additional Statistics:

• 2017/18 financial year - (Five years ago) 189 million male condoms and 7.2 million female condoms were distributed in Gauteng,

• 2022/2023 financial year 33.5 million male condoms and 2.6 million female condoms were distributed in Gauteng 2

  Ends/
  Issued by the Gauteng Department of Health