The National AIDS/STI Control Programme (NACP) says it has received a new consignment of condoms to replenish dwindling national stocks, but distribution to health facilities is being delayed by regulatory checks by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA).
The Programme officials say current condom stocks are below the required national levels, raising concerns about potential gaps in access to condoms — an important tool in preventing HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, as well as unintended pregnancies.
Programme Manager of the NACP, Dr Emmanuel A. A. Teviu, says the new consignment has arrived in the country and is undergoing mandatory FDA quality and safety assessments before it can be distributed to health facilities. He says the Programme is working closely with the FDA to expedite the process but will not compromise on quality assurance.
Dr Teviu has declined to give a specific timeline for the release of the condoms, explaining that the regulatory authority must complete its procedures. He is, however, optimistic that the process will be completed soon, allowing the condoms to be made more accessible across health facilities.
“What we have is below what the national stock level should be. But the good news is that we have received the consignment, and it’s now going through the FDA processes because before we send it out to the users, to the facilities, the FDA has to certify that they are of good quality and are safe to use. And so we are very sure that in the shortest possible time, the FDA will finish their processes, and then we can make it more available to all the facilities,” he said.
The development comes at a time when sustained access to affordable condoms remains critical to Ghana’s HIV prevention efforts, particularly as the country continues to pursue targets to reduce new infections. Condoms remain one of the most accessible and cost-effective methods of preventing sexual transmission of HIV and other STIs, while also helping to prevent unintended pregnancies.
The delay in replenishing national stocks raises questions about the availability of condoms at public health facilities and the potential impact on people who rely on free or subsidized supplies.
While the arrival of the new consignment offers some relief, attention will now turn to how quickly the regulatory process is completed and supplies reach facilities across the country.
Our checks show shortages at some facilities due to the temporary supply gap.
