New condom brand launched in Zimbabwe

THE headlines were loud and clear: the world is facing a condom crisis because of the war in the Middle East.

But, here in Zimbabwe, an intervention has been found with the launch of a new condom brand which has come at the right time to calm fears of looming shortages and rising prices.

The world has been on the edge as global condom prices surge while new HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) cases begin to creep up in several hotspots – raising concerns of a possible public health setback.

Industry giant Karex, which produces about five billion condoms annually, announced price hikes of up to 30 percent, citing shortages of raw materials and key chemical.

The disruptions are linked to geopolitical instability, including the Iran conflict, which has driven up production costs.

Locally, the effects are already being felt.

In Gweru, health officials recorded 159 STI cases as of last month, with experts warning the real figure could be much higher due to under reporting.

In Bindura, the situation is equally concerning, with the mining town now recording the highest HIV prevalence rate in Mashonaland Central, at 8, 4 percent.

District AIDS Coordinator Agripa Karuru said the spike is being driven by increased economic activity, population movement and high-risk behavioural patterns.

“Movement of people, economic activity and behavioural patterns are driving new infections,” Karuru said, cautioning that prevention strategies must evolve with these dynamics.

Public health expert, Professor Johannes Marisa, warned that rising costs of protection could worsen the situation if not urgently addressed.

“There is a direct link between cost and usage,” Prof Marisa said. “If condoms become expensive or scarce, people take chances—and that’s when infections rise.”

Amid these growing fears, a new player has entered the market with a message of reassurance.

4Play Condoms, relaunched in Zimbabwe by Kalahari Healthcare, says there is no need for panic, as it moves to help stabilise supply and improve access to protection.

“With potential supply shortages and increasing prices, our aim is to ensure availability of a quality product at an accessible price point,” said 4 Play executive Dr Gari Prince.

The company believes its re-entry comes at a critical time, as Zimbabwe navigates reduced donor support, rising costs and increasing demand for prevention tools.

While the arrival of 4Play may help ease supply pressures, questions remain around how quickly affordability and widespread accessibility can be achieved to match the rising risk.

On the ground, many Zimbabweans say prices have already begun to creep up, forcing some to cut back or turn to cheaper, less reliable alternatives.

Health advocates argue that beyond private sector intervention, there is still an urgent need for coordinated efforts, including subsidies, awareness campaigns and tighter monitoring of supply chains, to safeguard the gains made in HIV prevention.

For now, however, the entry of a new supplier is being seen as a timely intervention in a tightening market.

H-metro