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In 1998 the Department of Health acquired and distributed over 140 million condoms. A small proportion of these condoms was found to be defective and these were withdrawn following testing. Although a formal complaints mechanism does not exist, very few complaints of condoms of poor quality have been received. On receipt of any complaint the Department of Health institutes an investigation and acts accordingly if defects are found. We do not believe that the condoms presently distributed in South Africa are of poor quality.

In the past the tender specifications was based on the SABS 1286 standard. This standard was not in line with the most recent international standards as reflected in the WHO specifications published in September 1998.

New national tender specifications for condoms procurement have been developed in line with internationally accepted principles and have been included in the 1999 tender documentation. This tender has already has already closed. This step will reduce the possibility of faulty condoms being distributed.

There are a number of issues related to the use of condoms such as the size of condoms, preference, perceptions, etc, that will be researched in the near future.

One of the Findings of the National HIV/AIDS and STD Review conducted in July 1997 by the Department of Health, was that the procurement and distribution of condoms be evaluated and that policy and guidelines be developed on procurement, supply, distribution and quality control.

A condom task team was constituted by the Directorate: HIV/AIDS and STDs and a Condom Quality and Distribution Workshop was held from 24 to 26 August 1998 to make recommendations. This is the meeting referred to in the Business Day article and it was a meeting of experts to discuss the report on the Provincial Findings of the 1998 Condom Supply Assessment as well as quality control.

The assessment of condom logistics revealed inadequate planning of supply and distribution of condoms resulting in over and under supply of condoms in many areas. A stock management system has been designed and will be piloted in Mpumalanga in March 1999 and in North West and the Eastern Cape in September 1999.

The promotion and distribution of condoms is one of the most cost effective ways to reduce the rate of new HIV infections in South Africa and is one of the corner stones of the Government AIDS Plan. One of the highlights of the AIDS programme in 1999 will be a high profile condom marketing and promotion campaign during condom week from 14 to 20 February 1999.

Contact: Dr David Coetzee, 012 - 312 0121, Fax:012 - 328 5743

Issued by Department of Health, 28 December 1998

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