UMLAZI: AHF to Launch Popular ‘LOVE Condoms’ Campaign Worldwide

US’ Largest AIDS Group Partners with Respected Local Groups in Africa, Latin America and the Asia Pacific Region in Ambitious Free Condom Distribution Campaign and Increased HIV Testing Efforts

In South Africa, AHF’s Ithembalabantu Clinic Will Host a Launch Event on Saturday, August 1st, at Mega City, Providing Free HIV Testing, as Part of South Africa’s ‘LOVE Condoms’ Campaign Kick-off

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest AIDS organization in the US and which currently provides HIV/AIDS medical care and/or services to more than 100,000 individuals in 21 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean and the Asia Pacific Region, is proud to announce the global launch of its popular ‘LOVE Condoms’ Campaign — innovative, local free condom distribution campaigns and stepped-up free HIV testing efforts in several hard-hit countries — with a series of events in numerous countries around the world. The various worldwide launches, which will take place beginning Saturday, August 1st, come on the heels of AHF’s recent successful launch of the ‘LOVE Condoms’ campaign in Swaziland and India, where the innovative HIV prevention and awareness campaign was well received by the target audience — the public — as well as local and national media.

AHF’s Ithembalabantu Clinic will host a launch event and community awareness campaign to kick off South Africa’s component of the global ‘LOVE Condoms’ campaign. The campaign will focus on educating the community on the importance of getting tested and consistent use of condoms. The launch event will take place at Mega City on the 1st of August 2009, from 09h00-15h00. There will be free testing at the event and the aim is to encourage people to know their status, stay healthy and stay negative. Activities for the day include an educational stage play by Amanguni Production featuring the local TV actor/comedian Thabo Mnguni, known as “Bra Steve” in Family Bond Programme, and performances by “Zuka and Zwide,” wise words boys and others.
WHAT:
South Africa ‘LOVE Condoms’ Launch

WHEN:
Saturday, August 1, 2009 — 09H00 – 15H00

WHERE: Mega City Shopping Centre, Umlazi

WHO:
Thabo Mnguni, TV actor, local performers “Zuka and Zwide,” Wise Words boys, Society for Family Health, DOH and other community based organizations.

CONTACTS:
Dolly Mthabela, AHF’s Southern Africa Bureau, 082-490-2413 m, 031-266-2731 w

Lori Yeghiayan, AHF Assoc. Dir. of Communications, 323-377-4312 m, 323-860-5227 w

“The ‘LOVE Condoms’ campaign that we are now launching globally features AHF’s own specially branded ‘LOVE’ condoms — eye catching, bright red foil condom packets with the word ‘LOVE’ printed on the wrapper, which is also printed with the url ‘getfreecondoms.org,’” said Terri Ford, Senior Global Policy Director for AIDS Healthcare Foundation. “These condoms will be distributed for free in countries across the globe where AHF has existing partnerships and/or treatment clinics as well in other countries that have shown an interest and willingness to participate in this important awareness and prevention campaign. I was honored to participate in the recent launch in India, noting that the worldwide launch of the ‘LOVE Condoms’ campaign offers us a new beginning toward restoring the condom to its critical place at the front-line of effective global AIDS prevention and control. Combined efforts that include encouraging the widespread use of condoms, community testing and universal access to antiretroviral treatment will bring new infections down drastically.”

“The ‘LOVE Condoms’ campaign is just the beginning of a worldwide movement that can take safer sex to a higher level worldwide,” said Michael Weinstein, President of AIDS Healthcare Foundation. “It is my hope that each of our partners in these coming campaign launches over the next few weeks enjoy the same successes as were seen in both Swaziland and India.”

About The ‘LOVE Condoms’ Campaign

This campaign is aimed to bring public-private partnership to address access to free condoms and shall complement ongoing social marketing and free distribution of condoms promoted by GOI. Health is a state subject and we are particularly interested to interact directly with the decision makers at the helm of affairs to keep transparency and accountability at the forefront of our campaign.

The ‘LOVE Condoms’ Campaign’s goal is to scale-up global support for renewed condom usage by distributing TEN MILLION WHO approved, high-quality condoms FREE of charge to any individual, non-governmental or government agency that makes a commitment to support the campaign’s aim of achieving 100% access to free condoms worldwide. To achieve ‘Global AIDS Control’ an aggressive re-integration of condoms is critical to success.

Why are Condoms So Important for Global HIV and STD Control?

If global AIDS control is defined as an absolute reduction in the number of people living with HIV/AIDS in the world, condoms are the key to successfully achieving that goal. Access to lifesaving antiretroviral treatment has played a crucial role in bringing hope to millions and in also motivating masses of people to be tested. The huge success of the recent World AIDS Day ‘1 Million Tests campaign’ — during which men, women and children lined up across the globe to be tested — demonstrates that people want to know their HIV status.

The simple formula for global AIDS control involves identifying those who are undiagnosed and linking them to treatment, which will render them less infectious. We must promote the only known method for preventing the sexual transmission of HIV: condoms.

Condoms are cheaper and are relatively easy to use. They are almost 100% effective when used correctly. Various societies have had success in bringing about higher acceptance of condom use. Many studies show that most people who know they are positive want to protect their partners. Lack of availability of condoms and their retail cost are significant factors in failure to use condoms.

Combined efforts that include encouraging the widespread use of condoms, mass testing and universal access to antiretroviral treatment will bring new infections down drastically.

To learn more about the ‘LOVE Condoms’ and ‘Ten Million Tests’ campaigns, visit www.getfreecondoms.org and www.tenmilliontests.org.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is the US’ largest non-profit HIV/AIDS healthcare provider. AHF currently provides medical care and/or services to more than 100,000 individuals in 21 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean and the Asia Pacific Region.
Contacts

SOUTH AFRICA: Media Contact
AHF’s Southern Africa Bureau Operations Manager
Dolly Mthabela, Tel: 031-266-2731
Mobile: 082-490-2413
Email: dolly.mthabela {at} aidshealth(.)org
or
UNITED STATES: Media Contact
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
Lori Yeghiayan
Associate Director of Communications
Tel: +1-323-860-5227
Mobile: +1-323-377-4312
Email: loriy {at} aidshealth(.)org