The National Aids Council (NAC) has issued a warning that Zimbabwean men might soon need to include condoms in their personal budgets, as donor support for HIV response measures is beginning to dwindle.
This urgent message was reported by NewsDay and highlighted during a recent meeting of the Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers Union in Gwanda.
Concerns Over Sustainable Condom Distribution
Abraham Ncube, a representative from the NAC, cautioned attendees that the current model of free condom distribution may not be sustainable in the near future.
He explained that a 3% deduction from workers’ salaries is currently allocated as an Aids Levy, with 50% of these funds directed towards procuring antiretrovirals (ARVs).
However, Ncube emphasized that this funding is insufficient and heavily reliant on external donors:
“This is not enough and it is being supplemented by donors such as the Global Fund and other international contributors who provide funds for ARVs and prevention commodities like condoms.”
Ncube urged individuals to start preparing for a potential shift in responsibility, stating,
“Maybe we need to be aware that donors are now scaling down in general in terms of supporting the HIV response.
Meaning to say where we thought we were entitled to free condoms, maybe it’s about time we should start thinking of having a condom budget as responsible people.”
Moving Beyond Dependency
Ncube further emphasized the need for Zimbabweans to move away from a dependency mindset regarding health resources.
He remarked,
“If you are a man and say at my home there are no condoms, well that is food for thought. We need to come out of that dependence syndrome and think in terms of us being independent.”
He noted that part of the Aids Levy is utilized to acquire ARVs while the remaining funds support various response programs, including prevention activities led by the NAC across different workplaces.
Preparing for Change
As donor support for HIV response initiatives continues to decline, it is crucial for Zimbabwean men and society as a whole to adapt to these changes.
The NAC’s call for budgeting for condoms reflects a broader need for self-sufficiency in health resources.
With proactive planning and community engagement, Zimbabwe can work towards maintaining effective HIV prevention strategies even in the face of reduced external support.
