In a move to address rising teen pregnancy rates, the national health department took a unique step on Wednesday, 10 April, by launching South Africa’s first-ever self-care wellness vending machine in Mthatha, Eastern Cape. The vending machine – offering birth control, condoms, and HIV self-testing kits – is stationed at the Ultra City petrol station on the N2 in Mthatha.
Overseeing the official handover was the deputy health minister, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, and the Eastern Cape MEC for health, Nomakhosazana Meth.
Speaking to Health For Mzansi, Indiphile Qwase, who is studying within walking distance of where the vending machine is placed, believes that the vending machine will provide a more convenient and discreet way to access contraceptives than going to a clinic.
“I sometimes find it hard to go to the clinic and ask for contraceptives because I feel like I will be judged. So the vending machine will provide easy and convenient access to contraceptives, which could help to reduce unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections in young girls,” she says.
“However, I’m worried that the machine could potentially be used by minors without the knowledge or consent of their parents.”
Liyabona Mbebe from Umthatha in the Eastern Cape, expresses that the contraceptive vending machine could assist in decreasing unintended pregnancies.
“The vending machine for contraceptives could offer several advantages for young women and students. It will also offer us a more convenient and private option for obtaining contraceptives. It could also help to normalise the use of contraceptives and reduce the stigma around sexual health.”
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Surge in teenage pregnancies
According to the health department spokesperson Foster Mohale, South Africa has witnessed an alarming surge in adolescent pregnancies in the past three years (2020–2023), with more than 11 500 girls between the ages of 10 and 14 having delivered babies in public health facilities.
“This vending machine is the first of its kind in South Africa. It is part of the ongoing efforts to improve the uptake of various methods of contraception in response to the scourge of teenage pregnancy in the country.
“This initiative is targeting girls and women who are childbearing to increase access to sexual reproductive health and HIV prevention services and reduce unplanned pregnancies, which lead to unsafe abortions.”
Health department spokesperson Foster Mohale
“These vending machines will carry a variety of oral contraceptives, such as Nordette, Triphasil, Microval, Ovral, and emergency contraceptives/morning-after pills. It also has HIV prevention tools such as an HIV self-testing kit, lubricants, male and female condoms, pregnancy tests, and sanitary towels. These will be placed in easy-to-access and busy public areas such as institutions of higher learning, malls or shopping centres, Sassa points, etc. across the country.”
Acknowledging the alarming rates of teenage and unwanted pregnancies, Dhlomo highlights that they want to see this as an add-on rather than replacing what South Africa already has and explains how the vending machines will work.
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How the vending machines work
“Young people falling pregnant is a big challenge in the country; therefore, we are getting responses saying some clinics are not friendly to us. How the vending machine works is through a toll-free call centre number and an app where young people can interact with a health service provider, and they will advise based on the discussion.
“Then, having had that discussion, they will give you a code, and you will take it to the machine. At the machine, you punch in the code, and whatever has been requested through the discussion will then be dispensed from the machine.
“We are saying to young people that if there is a way to decrease sexually transmitted infections, if there is a way to reduce unwanted and teenage pregnancy, if there is a way not to contract HIV and Aids, and if you are reluctant to visit our clinics, do access the machines to get whatever you need.”
Deputy health minister Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo
Mohale underlines that these services are rendered free of charge, so they are working closely with provincial departments of health to ensure that these machines are always refilled.
“Over the next few weeks, a total of 13 machines will be placed in five provinces which are Mpumalanga, North West, Limpopo, and the Northern Cape. We promote the use of these machines and the benefits of saving costs for community members and time to the nearest health facilities,” says Mohale.
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