BRAZIL: Brazil's health ministry distributes first of 10 million free condoms as part of annual anti-Aids Carnival campaign

Record ID: 829405

  • Title: BRAZIL: Brazil's health ministry distributes first of 10 million free condoms as part of annual anti-Aids Carnival campaign
  • Date: 12th February 2007
  • Summary: CAMPAIGN VIDEO LAUNCHED BY HEALTH MINISTRY
  • Embargoed: 27th February 2007 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Brazil
  • Country: Brazil
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz,Health
  • Reuters ID: LVAE2KSTU3Y8P7KWPL9XBVBKE6I0
  • Story Text: As millions of revellers across Brazil prepare to dance and party for the Carnival festivities, the country's health ministry began its yearly safe sex campaign with the distribution of 10 million free condoms.

    As millions of revellers across Brazil prepare to dance and party during the annual Carnival festivities, the country's health ministry began on Sunday (February 11) its yearly safe sex campaign and the distribution of free condoms.
    The government will distribute 10 million free condoms in addition to the 15 million already sent to states in January in preparation for Carnival. A radio and television advertising campaign began on Sunday (February 11) with the official slogan "with condoms, the good feeling goes on after the party is over."
    The campaign was launched in the famed Mangueira samba school in Rio de Janeiro, amid criticism from Catholic bishops against the distribution and the government's move to install condom machines in public schools. Brazil is the world's largest Catholic country with some 150 million Catholics.
    Health Minister Agenor Alvares said in a news conference that this campaign intends to show people that the joy felt in Carnival should last before and after the celebrations.
    The safe sex campaign is part of Brazil's AIDS prevention program, which also offers free medicine for patients and costs the government 1.4 billion reais ($663.8 million USD) a year.
    Alvares said the government's program to install condom machines in public schools in 2008 has received support from parents, students and teachers.
    However, Cardinal Geraldo Majella, head of Brazil's Catholic Bishops Council, condemned the machines on Friday (February 9).
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