shocked
23 August 2007
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health has received with shock and
disappointment the news that a certain batch of condoms did not go through the
necessary South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) quality process as
expected.
The department would not like to be involved in the internal matters of the
SABS; however we would have appreciated if the Bureau had indicated to the
department the specific quality standard measure that this batch did not meet.
We feel that the generalisation that has surrounded this matter may have far
reaching consequences in the fight against HIV and AIDS in our country, and
province in particular.
As a department, we wish to assure the people of KwaZulu-Natal that we are
taking every step humanly possible to recall the specific batch and to further
investigate the 'alleged' defectiveness by getting the specifics from the
SABS.
Once again, we wish to assure our people that, in our view the condoms have
not been subjected to a test so that a conclusion of their 'defectiveness' can
be made. The batch that is of concern is being recalled through our District
and Sub-district structures. The people will be informed in due course of the
final situation.
For further information, please contact:
Leon Mbangwa
Departmental Spokesperson
Cell: 083 459 8695
Issued by: Department of Health, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
23 August 2007
