Millions of condoms dished out

2003-02-05 21:58

Pretoria - The government has distributed 220 million free male condoms since April last year, Health Minister Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang said on Wednesday.

This figure could rise to 350 million by the end of next month, according to Dr Nono Simelela, chief director of the Health Department's HIV/Aids, sexually transmitted infections (STI) and tuberculosis unit.

In addition, one million female condoms had been distributed at 200 sites. The number of sites for this purpose would be increased to 245 by December, the minister said.

She and Simelela were speaking at a news conference in Pretoria about STI week, which starts this Saturday.

The theme for this year was "Just the two of us", Tshabalala-Msimang said.

The press kit handed out to reporters included a Valentine's card with a government-issue condom inside.

"Relationships are the appropriate social structure within which we should and must address all STIs," the minister said.

"South Africans should learn to trust the confidentiality between partners, and between a health provider and a patient, so that they are all confident to reveal and manage their STI status."

If not abstaining, use a condom

The purpose of STI week was to increase awareness of STIs, encourage partner notification and motivate people to seek health advice and treatment, she said.

Events were scheduled for all nine provinces, with Deputy President Jacob Zuma expected to address the national one in Lydenburg, Mpumalanga, on Sunday.

Asked to respond to criticism that the government was promoting condom use rather than abstinence, Tshabalala-Msimang said: "My first choice is obviously abstinence. That is how I brought up my children."

She said she believed people should abstain from sex until they had reached their ambitions.

"If you ultimately fall in love, then... be faithful to your partner.

"If you can't abstain or be faithful then it would be correct and practical for me to say please use a condom."

- SAPA