The Executive Director of the Solomon Islands Planned Parenthood Association (SIPPA) has issued a public statement raising alarm over an ongoing national shortage of condoms, which has persisted since February 2025. The shortage, which affects the entire country, has coincided with a noticeable increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and SIPPA warns that HIV rates may soon follow.
Posted on social media, the Director emphasized the urgency of honest, open communication about sexual health, particularly between parents and adolescents. He urged families to discuss safe sex practices and decision-making, noting that without proper protection and education, young people are at heightened risk of infection and unplanned pregnancies.
To support communities during this shortage, SIPPA continues to offer youth-friendly services through its clinics in Honiara, Auki, Gizo, and Lata. These centers provide confidential counseling, sexual and reproductive health education, and guidance from trained professionals and volunteers.
Additionally, SIPPA is actively engaging with schools across the country, seeking permission to deliver educational programs on topics such as teenage pregnancy, STI prevention, HIV and AIDS awareness, and behavior change strategies.
With limited resources, the organization is exploring temporary measures, including procuring condoms from private pharmacies and international suppliers. The Director called on the public to share this information widely and support young people in making informed, responsible choices regarding their sexual health.
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Thoughts? Iumi stori
[Source: SIPPA Executive Director via Facebook ]
