AIDS body urges gov't to zero rate condom imports

The Aids Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has urged the government to take up policies that will make condoms more affordable and accessible in a bid to mitigate a surge in the number of new HIV and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) infections among youth.

According to the National Aids Control Council (NACC) adolescents and young people aged 29 years and below make up 61 per cent of all new HIV infections in the country.

Speaking during a series of AIDS advocacy events organised by the NGO in Nairobi, Thika, Kisii and KIlifi, AHF Country  Director Dr. Samuel Kinyanjui opined that the government will incur fewer expenses if it invests in making condoms more affordable than in providing treatment for persons living with HIV/AIDS.

According to Kinyanjui, the total direct annual expenditure spent by the government in procuring HIV/AIDS medication for a single patient stands at Ksh.25,000 while only Ksh.1,200 is required to make condoms more accessible to the same person every year.

 “Currently condoms in Kenya are being taxed because they are categorized as a medical device. We are urging the policymakers and regulators to categorize condoms as a medical supply so that they can be tax-free,” he said.

“Condoms offer a triple defence, especially among teenagers and the youth; prevention against HIV infection, unwanted pregnancies, and protection against other STIs. We are talking about 90% protection as opposed to other alternatives such post-exposure prophylaxis (PEPs) which involves taking medicine to prevent HIV after a possible exposure."

He also decried the high taxes slapped on condom procurements, including a 16% VAT, affecting the price of available condoms in the country.

Kinyanjui's sentiments mirror those of Health CS Susan Nakhumicha who recently designated condom use as the second most effective means to prevent HIV and STD infection after abstinence.

The Government, in a recent statement, said it was procuring 150 million pieces of condoms. This falls far short of a forecasted demand of 262 million for the July 2022 to June 2023 financial year.

There is a gap of about 112 million condoms, which translates to a budgetary hole of about Ksh.38 million, at a unit cost of approximately Ksh.3.4 per condom. 

Factors such as supply chain disruptions, increased demand, and the rise of counterfeit products have made the situation even more critical.

Equally, the declaration of Kenya as a middle-income country by the World Bank and IMF has seen donors withdraw their much-needed support.