Southern Province Minister Edify Haamukale has challenged women to break social norms which expose them to risks such as HIV infection. Dr Haamukale specifically challenged women to start accessing condoms instead of depending on men for the HIV infection barrier.

Dr Haamukale was speaking in Choma on 17 January 2017 when he received a consignment of socially marketed condoms donated by MLife Insurance and Madison Health Solutions handed over by National HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Council (ANC) Acting Director General Mr. Fortune Chibamba.

 “Women need to initiate a social paradigm shift not to feel shy to access condoms to stop their dependence on men who may not have the commodity when required,” Dr Haamukale said.

He paid gratitude to MLife Insurance and Madison Health Solutions for their generous donation of 540,000 pieces of condoms in seven flavours of Enjoyable Safe Pleasure range of products worth K90, 000.00.  Dr Haamukale directed NAC to include the National Assembly of Zambia Motel on its distribution list of condoms to ensure that lawmakers have regular supply of the commodity.

Dr Haamukale also noted that young men were increasingly using sex boosters to enhance their libido, describing the practice as one with potential for negative repercussions.  

And Mr Chibamba requested the Minister and his provincial team to bring on board the private sector to leverage on their resources for the benefit of members of the community.

Mr Chibamba said regardless of the core mandate of each entity, people remain at the center of business. He said it was through participation of every sector that Zambia could achieve the 90.90.90 targets and end AIDS by 20130.

“Without people; without healthy people we cannot achieve our goals,” said Mr Chibamba.

Other high profile personalities who attended the condom handover ceremony included Choma Mayor Johvan Simooloka, Assistant Secretary Chiwele Kondomone, Choma District Commissioner Shina Muleya and other heads of government departments.

Other districts which received a share of the branded condoms last week are Mongu, Sesheke in Western Province and Livingstone in Southern Province.

Prepared by the NAC Communications Unit