Mps concerned about the small size of condoms
The MPs also complained on how the public has not been educated about the use of condoms, ahead of the commemoration of World Condom Day slated for February 13, 2024.
The deputy speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has asked the Minister of Health, Jane Ruth Aceng, to bring a statement to Parliament next week responding to concerns by some MPs about the small size of condoms in Uganda.
The MPs also complained on how the public has not been educated about the use of condoms, ahead of the commemoration of World Condom Day slated for February 13, 2024.
The international Condom Day, which is celebrated on February 13, was established by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, a US-based non-profit founded in 1987 in response to the AIDS epidemic.
The day day comes a day before Valentine’s Day.
“On a very serious note, protection is one of the preventive measures promoted by Government and I don’t know why colleagues you are laughing, only that it is a day I have never heard of being celebrated. But I think, Parliament is a platform which we use to inform & educate the public about those issues, so Minister, bring a statement on this.” said Tayebwa.
Minister of Health, Jane Aceng confirmed that indeed the National Condoms day exists and the events are held to purposely sensitize the public on the importance of using condoms, and highlight their effectiveness in preventing the spread of HIV/AIDs and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs).
“The National Condoms day is commemorated annually and it is true that people know about condoms, but many don’t use them for protection, so the day is held as an advocacy to remind people to use condoms for protection. The member is requesting that we bring a paper here, Speaker I will leave that to your discretion,” said Minister Aceng.
In 2019, Marie Stopes Uganda, a non-government organisation that offers reproductive health services, was directed to recall two batches of Life Guard brand condoms from the Ugandan market following customers’ complaints.
According to a letter issued by the National Drug Authority (NDA), the condoms from batches- 19040205 and 19050105 manufactured in April and May 2019 with expiry dates for March and April 2024 did not meet market standards
