28 Jul 2013

Boteti District Multi Sectoral AIDS Committee (DMSAC) has observed that female condoms are underutilised as compared to the male condoms. 

Reports from different departments’ wellness committees and other health sectors showed that a limited number of female condoms were disbursed to the public during the first quarter of the financial year, April and June.

The deputy district commissioner who is also DMSAC chairperson, Mr Loeto Porati advised wellness committees and health sectors to order male condoms in large numbers as they were in high demand. He also advised the committee to intensify education on the use of the female condom.

A report from the District Health Management Team (DHMT) showed that more male condoms were distributed while female condoms expired while in stock because of low demand.

Tebelopele voluntary counseling and testing centre also distributed 10 600 male condoms compared to 300 female condoms. Mr Porati said STIs, HIV infection and pregnancies that continue to be detected are a sign of unprotected sexual acts, hence the need to review the committee’s educational campaign strategies.

Botswana National Youth Council (BNYC) coordinator, Mr Clifford Seroke appealed to DMSAC members that as focal persons of wellness committees, they must be well informed in order to fully disseminate HIV/AIDS and other health related information to their peers and the general public.

Mr Seroke said it was unfortunate to see that condoms were not fully utilised even though provided for free. The committee was also concerned that there was no budget for the orphan care programme to purchase clothing for the 1 520 registered orphans in Boteti.

Mr Porati wondered as to why the budget did not cater for clothes and promised to enquire from the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development as orphans’ private clothing was a basic need and should be given priority. ENDS