Arandis — Given the high infection rate of HIV/Aids, an official in the Erongo Region is concerned about the low distribution of female condoms at health centres in the area, saying the situation is worrisome.

The Health Director for the Erongo Region, Elizabeth Lottering, said this when she addressed a meeting organised by Women's Action for Development (WAD) at Arandis last Saturday.

She said though male condoms were available at all health and distribution outlets, this was not the case with femidoms.

Though she could not say how many thousands of condoms are distributed on a yearly basis in the Erongo Region, to date the Ministry has not yet started to manufacture female condoms.

However, that does not stop health centres from providing information and training on both male and female condoms through education sessions, prevention counselling and refresher courses.

The Director of Special Programmes in the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Ela Shihepo, confirmed that at the moment the ministry does not have femidoms in stock but an order to purchase these female condoms has already been made.

Shihepo could not tell who the supplier is and how many of these female condoms are expected.

At the same platform, the Minister of Labour and Social Welfare Alpheus !Naruseb equally expressed shock to hear that female condoms were not easily available in the region, adding that he would contact the Ministry of Health and Social Services on the matter.

Like all other regions countrywide, the Erongo Region has a high HIV/Aids prevalence rate. Regional HIV/Aids statistics for 2004 revealed that out of 5197 pre-tested cases, 33.4 per cent were HIV-positive. "The HIV prevalence rate is high among the youth and adolescents aged up to 29 years," she reported.

Based on that, she urged the youth to stay away from harmful or rather promiscuous activities that might result in them contracting the disease.

Erongo has five state hospitals, two health centres, 16 clinics and 158 outreach points.