A growing shortage of condoms, coupled with fears of rising global prices, is heightening concern among public health experts and vulnerable communities in Malawi over a potential surge in Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) including HIV, and unintended pregnancies.
Public health expert, Dorothy Ngoma, has warned that inadequate condom supplies across hospitals, health centres and communities are already creating conditions for increased infections.
“Malawi is already facing an inadequacy in the supply of condoms across hospitals, health centres and communities, and this is likely to push STI and HIV infection rates upwards,” she said, linking the shortage to global supply disruptions and reduced donor support from partners such as USAID.
Ngoma noted that conflicts in the Middle East have affected manufacturers and delayed shipments and worsened supply gaps, while limited domestic resources have constrained Malawi’s ability to procure enough condoms independently.
The situation is compounded by reports that global condom manufacturers may increase prices, raising further access concerns.
The Female Sex Workers Association of Malawi warned that any price hike or shortage would have immediate consequences for high-risk groups.
“As sex workers, we have never thought the availability of condoms might ever become an issue. This is so because most of our clients manage to purchase their own preferred brands of condoms rather than using the free distributed condoms,” the association’s Executive Director said.
However, she cautioned that rising costs could force unsafe practices.
“The impact, should the prices rise and availability become scarce, is that there will be a surge in the spread of STIs or STDs, although currently the rate is already increasing because in most areas the free condoms are already not available. Furthermore, this will lead to an increase in unexpected pregnancies and unsafe abortion,” she said.
The concerns come against a backdrop of rising STI cases in Malawi, with health data showing infections increased to over 546,000 in 2024 from about 501,000 in 2023, with teenagers and young adults among the most affected. Low condom usage and supply challenges have been cited among key drivers of the surge.
Ngoma added that adolescents and young people remain particularly vulnerable due to limited purchasing power and inconsistent condom use, warning that without urgent intervention, Malawi risks reversing gains in HIV prevention and reproductive health.
