BRAZIL/FILE: Brazil's government launches of a safe-sex programme to curb the spread of HIV-AIDS and other sexually-transmitted diseases

Record ID: 335488

  • Title: BRAZIL/FILE: Brazil's government launches of a safe-sex programme to curb the spread of HIV-AIDS and other sexually-transmitted diseases
  • Date: 25th February 2014
  • Summary: BRASILIA, BRAZIL (FEBRUARY 25, 2014) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) BRAZIL'S HEALTH MINISTER, ARTHUR CHIORO, SAYING: "For us to have the ability to face HIV and AIDS, also hepatitis, it is fundamental that the people understand their role. The population has to play an active role in prevention and to carry itself and treat the body in the manner most responsible, and
  • Embargoed: 12th March 2014 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Brazil
  • Country: Brazil
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA8S0MTH2WIANK3S9R1GANB60ZP
  • Story Text: Brazil's government launched a new safe-sex campaign in the nation's capital of Brasilia on Tuesday (February 25) just in time for this year's Carnival celebrations.
    The Ministry of Health has helped develop some slick public announcements which play on the idea that every time you go to a party - big or small - you should always have a condom with you just in case.
    The campaign's motto translated is: "If you have a party, big or small, you have to have a condom."
    Brazil's Minister of Health Arthur Chioro said that although the prevention campaign is timed with Carnival it is geared towards much more than the pre-Lenten festivities which officially kick off this weekend.

    "It's a campaign that works with the idea of prevention, not exclusively for Carnival. The idea was to work with the theme of always bringing a condom to parties and gatherings. It shows the necessity to be vigilant, working with all age groups of the Brazilian population, independent of men, women or sexual orientation. The idea is that prevention is fundamental," Chioro said.
    Although the concentration of those with AIDS in Brazil remains among young homosexual men and sex workers, the Ministry of Health believes that everyone should be aware and safe as anyone can contract not only HIV and AIDS but other diseases as well.
    Chioro believes that everyone has to do their part.

    "For us to have the ability to face HIV and AIDS, also hepatitis, it is fundamental that the people understand their role. The population has to play an active role in prevention and to carry itself and treat the body in the manner most responsible, and at the same time in the most united way possible. At the end of the day we are dealing with sexually-transmittable diseases and it is fundamental that we share the responsibility, it cannot only be the government and the press. It requires that every Brazilian act responsibly and in solidarity," Chioro said.
    The Ministry of Health estimates there are presently 150,000 people in Brazil currently unaware that they carry the AIDS virus.
    Beyond the promotion of condom use the ministry wants to also convince the public of the necessity of regular testing for sexually-transmitted diseases.
    According to the ministry, 15 million reais ($6.4 million) will be invested into AIDS prevention campaigns in 2014 and already since the beginning of the year over 104 million condoms have been distributed nationwide.
    Those celebrating Carnival in Brazil this year, especially in hot spots like Rio de Janeiro and Salvador, will be sure to see propaganda and free condoms being distributed.
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