Condoms seen as key to HIV/AIDS prevention

MAKING condoms widely available is integral to the successful prevention of HIV/AIDS, says a health official.
Health Department HIV programme manager Dr Nick Dala said the condom distribution programmes were to make them easily available to youths and adults, commercial sex workers, and those involved in risky sexual activities.
He said the National HIV Strategy was addressing the HIV epidemic in a more detailed approach and accommodated changes and challenges in the way the government and partners responded to HIV in the country.
“The focus on prevention in the new condom strategy remains number one because these are cost-effective structural interventions that provide communities with the resources they need to prevent the spread of HIV,” he said.
Dr Dala said condoms must be made available and accessible to sexually active people. Its procurement costs around K3 million a year.
He said partners including Population Service International and the National AIDS Council Secretariat did procurement on a regular basis when needed.
“Our government delivers but it comes in a targeted manner. But we are happy that we will continue delivering condoms throughout the country,” he said.