By Kelfala Kargbo
Freetown,28th April 2026- The Director General of the National AIDS Secretariat (NAS), Abdul Rahman Sesay, has confirmed the availability of ‘sufficient condoms in the country’. Sesay dismissed claims of possible shortages due to global supply chain challenges.
“We currently have sufficient condoms in the country, both for free distribution and social marketing. Furthermore, the socially marketed condoms are currently being subsidized,” he told Truth Media.
He was responding to recent reports suggesting that condom prices worldwide are set to rise sharply, as Malaysia’s Karex Bhd, the world’s largest producer warns of a 20% to 30% increase, if the Iran war continues to disrupt supply chains.
Sesay also addressed findings from the Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) program, which reported that HIV accounted for 21% of adult deaths in Bo and Bombali districts. He cautioned that the figures, while important, should not be generalized nationwide.
“This is not a national study. Samples were taken only from Bo and Bombali, and largely from deceased individuals. You cannot use that data to generalize the situation in the country,” Sesay explained.
Still, he welcomed the report as “an eye-opener” for the HIV sector, urging deeper engagement and response.
According to the 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey (SLDHS), HIV prevalence among adults aged 15–49 stands at 1.7% nationally, with higher rates in urban areas (2.3%) compared to rural areas (1.2%). Women are disproportionately affected (2.2%) compared to men (1.1%).
Sesay revealed that the estimated number of HIV-positive individuals has risen to 81,000, driven by improved diagnosis and longer survival. Sierra Leone is aligning with global targets: 86% of people living with HIV know their status, 87% are on treatment and 63% are virally suppressed, he noted.
Despite progress, Sesay acknowledged challenges in managing supply chain disruptions, warning of occasional “stockouts” of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) and test kits. He stressed that global economic pressures continue to affect local program delivery.
On condom use, the 2019 DHS revealed low uptake: only 7% of women and 23% of men reported using a condom during their last sexual encounter, far below the national target of 90%.
While Sierra Leone’s HIV response shows resilience, Sesay emphasized that sustaining progress requires vigilance against misinformation, stronger citizen engagement, and reliable supply chains.
