Fact Check: Is India's Family Planning Program On The Brink Due To Condom Crisis?

Published: Tuesday, December 12, 2023, 12:43 [IST]

The Union Health Ministry dismissed as "misleading" recent reports suggesting that India's family planning program would face significant disruptions due to the central procurement agency's failure in obtaining contraceptives.

In a statement, the ministry deemed these reports as ill-informed and providing misleading information.

Fact Check: Is Indias Family Planning Program On The Brink Due To Condom Crisis?

''Such reports are ill-informed and provides misleading information,'' the ministry said in a statement.

The Central Medical Services Society (CMSS), functioning as an autonomous body and Central Procurement Agency under the Union Ministry of Health, is responsible for procuring condoms for the National Family Planning Programme and National AIDS Control Programme. ''The CMSS procured 5.88 crores pieces of condoms for Family Planning Programme in May, 2023 and the present stock position of condoms is sufficient to meet the requirement of the Family Planning Programme,'' the ministry said.

The National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) currently receives 75% of its condom supplies from M/s HLL Lifecare Ltd., with plans to allocate the remaining 25% for the 2023-24 period through CMSS following recent approvals. NACO's current demand is being fulfilled by an order of 66 million pieces from M/s HLL Lifecare Ltd., the organization confirmed.

The ongoing order is in the process of being supplied, and requests for one-year requirements will be made to both M/s HLL Lifecare Ltd. and CMSS with the necessary approvals. The statement emphasized that there have been no shortages due to procurement delays by CMSS.

CMSS has already initiated tenders this fiscal year for acquiring various types of condoms, and these tenders are in the final stages of completion.

The Union Health Ministry assured that there's no need for concern, mentioning close monitoring of the situation. Weekly review meetings within the ministry oversee the tendering process and supply status of medicines and medical items procured by CMSS for different ministry programs.