By Heath Reporter- The country is on the brink of a condom shortage as international donors announce they will no longer provide free supplies, according to the National Aids Council (NAC).

NAC representative Abraham Ncube disclosed the impending crisis at a recent Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers Union meeting, revealing that the government has been urged to prepare to fund condom procurement independently.

Currently, 3% of workers’ salaries are deducted as an Aids Levy, with 50% allocated to anti-retroviral (ARV) procurement.

However, this amount is supplemented by external donors, including the Global Fund, which also supports condom distribution and other prevention measures.

“Donors are scaling down on HIV response support,” Ncube said, “It’s time we consider budgeting for condoms ourselves. If there are no condoms at home, it’s time for reflection. We must move beyond dependency and start taking independent responsibility.”

The remaining portion of the Aids Levy supports prevention programs, such as HIV education initiatives led by NAC across various mines and workplaces.