Online Reporter
Peter Matika, [email protected]
BULAWAYO City Council (BCC) has raised concern over declining supplies of condoms and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in the city, with councillors calling for urgent intervention to bolster.
HIV prevention services in Pumula and Magwegwe, identified as emerging HIV hotspots.
The concerns emerged during a council health committee meeting, where councillors queried whether the city’s HIV prevention programmes were adequately equipped to respond to worrying infection trends in the two high-density suburbs.
Councillors linked the situation to declining donor support for HIV prevention initiatives, warning that shortages of key prevention commodities could undermine efforts to reduce new HIV infections.
BCC Director of Health Services Dr Edwin Mzingwane Sibanda told the committee that condom supplies had declined following the withdrawal of donor funding, including United States foreign health assistance.
Dr Mzingwane Sibanda said PrEP, which reduces the risk of acquiring HIV when taken as prescribed, had also previously been supported by USAID, with council now planning to expand the number of health facilities offering the prevention service.
“The funding challenges have raised concerns over the sustainability of HIV prevention programmes at a time when some communities are experiencing worrying HIV trends. However, council continues to distribute condoms despite the supply constraints,” he said.
In June, 216 800 male condoms were distributed across the city, up from 177 000 in May.
Distribution of female condoms, however, fell from 3 980 in May to 2 280 in June, with the health department attributing the decline to myths and misconceptions surrounding their use.
Dr Mzingwane Sibanda said council was employing various strategies to improve access to condoms by integrating distribution into HIV prevention, sexual and reproductive health programmes, as well as broader community health promotion initiatives.
Councillors noted that the disparity in uptake between male and female condoms underscored the need for stronger efforts to ensure women have access to prevention methods they can initiate themselves.
The health committee also raised concerns over social and behavioural factors believed to be contributing to risky sexual behaviour in Pumula and Magwegwe.
Councillors pointed to the proliferation of illegal nightclubs and the alleged conversion of some sports bars into nightclubs, calling for stricter enforcement of council regulations governing such establishments.
They also expressed concern over some bush churches operating in secluded areas, arguing that certain activities could expose congregants to risky sexual behaviour.
Council was urged to engage such churches on HIV prevention and safe-sex practices, while enforcing by-laws governing the establishment and operation of church shrines in bushy areas.
Residents were encouraged to practise safer sex, including consistent and correct condom use, regular HIV testing and maintaining faithful sexual partnerships.
The concerns come as Bulawayo intensifies targeted HIV prevention programmes in communities considered particularly vulnerable to new infections.
The developments have also underscored the risks associated with reliance on external funding for essential health commodities and the need for sustainable domestic financing of HIV prevention services.
