Intensify condom campaigns to achieve epidemic control - Dr Ayisi Addo
THE Programmes Manager at the National AIDS/STI Control Programme, Dr Stephen Ayisi Addo, has called on condom manufacturing companies to intensify the promotion of condoms to enhance its utilisation among the vulnerable group, especially women.
He said that is to help achieve epidemic control in the country.
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“We need to make sure that the whole issue of condom is projected as a very palpable question prevention barrier. If we want to achieve epidemic control in our country, we cannot achieve that without prevention; and prevention is incomplete without condom promotion,” he said.
Dr Ayisi Addo made the call at an event organised by the Society for Family Health (SFH) International to unveil its family planning products in Ghana to replicate global life-saving interventions in HIV/AIDS prevention and reproductive health.
He said currently, there was a very low stock of condoms in the country due to the delayed procurement during the COVID-19 period such that supplies from partners such as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and West African Health Organisation (WAHO) also delayed in coming.
However, he said the few numbers available are being produced by the private sector.
“We have to take advantage and recover by hiking up our condom campaign, its availability and promotion because once people are used to something and they do not get it any longer, it is difficult to come back. So we have to reactivate our condom campaign and promotion,” he said.
SFH Products
Speaking to the media, the Country Manager of SFH International Ghana, Theresa Maame Ekua Galley, explained that even though the organisation had been in existence in the country since 2018, the event was to formally introduce its social marketing products to the Ghanaian market.
“This is the first set of products that we have introduced to the Ghanaian market. Going forward, we look to introduce another set of products that are going to target non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, cancer, some respiratory diseases and our own brand of antimalaria.
“The products include the Gold Circle Condoms produced in three flavours, FLEX Condoms produced in six flavours, water-based lubricant known as Lubrica, produced in two flavours, Emergency Contraceptive Pills; PlanNor, Mistol Tablets – SFH brand of Misoprostol and high dose Vitamin C plus Zinc tablets,” she said.
A representative from the Family Health Division of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Chris Fofie, who praised SFH International for its commitment to ensuring healthier living for all Ghanaians added that, “SFH International Ghana has come to provide products that will fill the gaps, something we can really be proud of.”
Improving market development
The Board Chair of SFH International Ghana, Dr Irene Ackuaku, said her outfit’s focus was geared towards working in solidarity with communities, government, donors and the private sector for social justice.
“We stand for a Universal Health Coverage for all Africans using health systems and by strengthening and improving market development approaches.
“Our goal is to continue to establish our footprints in the marketplace, in Ghana and to improve and gain the needed visibility in the industry that will transcend beyond generations and make us a household name in our product offering,” she added.
