By Admore Mbonda in Kariba
In the picturesque lakeside town of Kariba, known for its stunning sunsets and vibrant fishing community, a silent crisis is brewing — and it’s putting lives at risk.
The town is facing a serious shortage of condoms, a growing concern that has triggered a spike in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and raised red flags among health officials and community leaders. While Kariba draws visitors from across Zimbabwe’s ten provinces, its popularity has unintentionally contributed to a troubling trend: rising unprotected sexual activity without adequate access to protection.
At Nyamhunga Clinic, 28 cases of STIs were recorded in a short period — a figure local officials fear is just the tip of the iceberg. Many more cases likely go untested and untreated, especially among vulnerable populations.
For Councillor Temptation Masuka, who also serves as the Gender Champion for the local authority, the numbers are deeply personal.
“I am deeply concerned,” she said during Kariba Municipality’s 250th full council meeting.
“This signals a serious public health risk.
“We cannot afford to lose the gains we’ve made in public health and gender equality due to something so preventable.”
The issue has been compounded by global politics. The United States’ withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) during President Trump’s second term has led to funding cuts that ripple far beyond Washington.
With the U.S. previously contributing 12–15% of the WHO’s funding, its exit has left vital programs — including those supporting HIV prevention and sexual health — struggling to meet demand in countries like Zimbabwe.
Kariba has long relied on support from global health partners to stock its clinics and educate its communities. Now, without those safety nets, everyday people are feeling the strain. Health centers are running low on supplies.
Awareness programs have lost momentum. And young people are being left without the information and protection they need.
Masuka is calling on the Ministry of Health, NGOs, and other partners to step up — urgently.
“We need to act now,” he said. “Young people, women, men — everyone deserves access to basic sexual and reproductive health. We cannot let them down.”
The town’s fishing camps, lively economic hubs teeming with seasonal workers and traders, are especially vulnerable. With transient populations and limited access to health services, they’ve become hotspots for new STI cases.
Despite the crisis, hope lies in community solidarity. Local leaders are pushing for restocking clinics, re-launching awareness campaigns, and rallying resources to protect their people.
Kariba may be a tourist destination, but behind its postcard-perfect beauty is a community fighting to stay healthy — and calling on the nation not to look away.
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