USAID donates 1.5m condoms to Ja - Agency seeks to boost country's Zika-prevention efforts among pregnant women

Jamaica is in possession of more than a million condoms.

This, as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) donated 1.5 million condoms to the National Family Planning Board - Sexual Health Agency on Wednesday to reduce the risk of sexual transmission of Zika among pregnant women.

A press release from the US Embassy on Thursday said that the condoms will be distributed islandwide within the antenatal clinics and that they are to be offered free of cost to expecting mothers.

The release said that during the handing over ceremony, USAID's Mission Director to Jamaica, Maura Barry-Boyle, spoke on the lasting partnership between the United States government and Jamaica in the fight against the spread of the Zika virus. "We at USAID are pleased to be a part of Jamaica's national efforts to combat the Zika virus. USAID's response is to support and strengthen local health systems that are affected in order to reduce the risk among pregnant women and their developing foetus within the womb," the release said.

USAID's Zika-related efforts also include vector control and community engagement through outreach and psychosocial support.