Condom prices surge in Zimbabwe after US cuts HIV funding

Zimbabwe’s ongoing public health crisis has deepened as condom prices soar to unprecedented levels, following a halt in United States foreign aid funding.

A recent survey by iHarare revealed that the most affordable option, Protector Plus, now costs nearly $1.50 per packet, while Fantasy and Carex brands are priced at $3.20 and $3.30, respectively.

In 2023, two packets of Protector Plus were available for just $1, but prices have now surged by 150%, making them increasingly unaffordable.

The sharp price increase follows the suspension of USAID funding, a consequence of an executive order on foreign aid issued by former US President Donald Trump.

According to the report, “USAID supports the procurement and distribution of 98% of all condoms in Zimbabwe, both for sale and for free. The halt in funding has severely impacted locally available condom brands, such as PSH’s Protector Plus, which are sold in shops for cost recovery.”

Despite calls from Population Solutions for Health (PSH) to remove VAT and import duties on condoms, the government has yet to respond.

The rising cost of condoms poses a significant threat to efforts to curb the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections in Zimbabwe, which is among the countries with the highest HIV prevalence rates globally.

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