Britain is to give 42 million condoms to South Africa in response to a request for an extra billion as part of an HIV prevention drive before the World Cup, the British government was expected to announce yesterday.
The request for British help in stockpiling sufficient condoms for the expected influx of thousands of football supporters in three months’ time was made during South African President Jacob Zuma’s recent visit to the UK to meet the queen.
“Obviously there’s a big focus on the World Cup coming up and a huge increase in the number of people coming into South Africa,” said Minister of International Development Gareth Thomas, who was to announce the £1 million (US$1.5 million) funding yesterday at an emergency summit in London on HIV prevention and treatment.
“The South Africans have identified themselves the need to get more condoms in place. South Africa specifically asked for British assistance and we are responding to that request,” he said.
He said that the fans would inevitably spill over into neighboring African countries with high HIV rates, which would also need to take precautions.
The South African government estimates that up to half a million visitors could travel to the country, raising fears of a rise in prostitution and sex trafficking from neighboring countries and eastern Europe and creating a potential HIV time bomb.
Last week, South Africa’s Central Drug Authority warned that 40,000 prostitutes were expected to arrive for the month-long tournament.
South Africa is embroiled in a struggle to combat the world’s biggest HIV caseload and to convince its population of the importance of safe sex.
South African Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi expressed concern on Monday that the message was being ignored because people believe HIV can now be easily treated.
“President Zuma made two far-reaching statements on World AIDS Day,” Motsoaledi said. “He made a strong statement about prevention and a strong statement about treatment regimes, but after World AIDS Day South Africans were only talking about the one.”
“That’s what is worrying me. I am saying treatment must only come after prevention,” he said.
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