Issued by: Ministry of Health
The Department of Health has completed investigations into reports of condoms damaged by staples, and distributed during the Condom Week Campaign, (7-14 February).
It has been established that an NGO, collaborating with the Department of Health in the campaign, inadvertently damaged condoms by stapling them to a leaflet with information on the correct use thereof. Regrettably these condoms were later distributed in S oweto and at the Carlton Centre in Johannesburg, No evidence of similar practices were found in KwaZulu- Natal or elsewhere.
Although the exact number of condoms damaged in this process is uncertain, the public has, however been advised against using them. Meanwhile all distributors have been alerted to the problem and advised to discontinue the practice.
The public response to the campaign has been overwhelming, with volunteers from different sectors of the community supporting our effort. Therefore, it is quite understandable, that mistakes happened in the process, some as costly as the damaged condoms.
The Department of Health commends the media for alerting us to this anomaly. It is through such vigilance, that the vision of Partnership Against AIDS, launched by Deputy President Thabo Mbeki, in October last year, can be translated into concrete action. The media remains our invaluable partner in this campaign.
Despite the problem of damaged condoms, the campaign has been successful in sending a clear message to the public, that the use of condoms remains the most effective way of preventing STD's HIV and unwanted pregnancies.
Contact: Khnagelani Hlongwane
082-557-0978