Condom crisis in Bangladesh: Why the country is running out of 'protection' amid political turmoil

(Representative Image)

• Bangladesh nears nationwide condom shortage amid funding and staff problems.
• Contraceptive supplies low, expected to run out in 39 days.
• Experts warn the shortage may raise Bangladesh's fertility rate further.

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Bangladesh may soon be dealing with a problem few saw coming: a nationwide condom shortage, even as the country grapples with political unrest following the death of anti-India student leader Sharif Osman Hadi.

Condoms are expected to be unavailable for at least a month next year due to a fund crunch and manpower shortage, according to a report by The Daily Star.

Officials said the supply of contraceptives has been steadily drying up over the past few years, with the Directorate General of Family Planning warning it may no longer be able to distribute them free of cost. Current stocks are likely to run out in just 39 days.

A national contraceptive summary report paints a worrying picture. Condom supplies have dropped by 57% over the last six years. Other contraceptives are also in short supply. Oral pills are down by 63%,  IUDs by 64%, injectables by 41%, and implants by 37% since 2019.

“These contraceptive items could be restocked soon, provided an ongoing legal issue over procurement is resolved,” said Abdur Razzaque, director of the DGFP’s logistics and supply unit.

Staffing shortages are adding to the problem. The report, quoting Ershad Ahmed Nomani, deputy director of DGFP, said around 25% of field-level posts remain vacant. These include family planning assistants, inspectors, family welfare volunteers and sub-assistant community medical officers.

These workers play a key role in distributing contraceptives and counselling the public.

The shortage comes at a sensitive time. Bangladesh’s total fertility rate has risen for the first time in 50 years, and experts warn that limited access to contraception could push it even higher.

Aminul Islam, professor of population sciences at Dhaka University, noted that many couples have recently shown reluctance towards family planning and are increasingly opting for families with more than two children.