BOTSWANA: More condoms to curb HIV/AIDS

Botswana plans to treble its distribution of condoms in a bid to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS, the South African Press agency (SAPA) reported on Thursday.

The country's health ministry on Wednesday said a US $13.5 million programme will distribute some 14 million condoms over a period of four years.

"We will treble the annual distribution of condoms and have them available within one kilometre of 85 percent of the population," Health Minister Joy Phumaphi said at the launch of the new programme.

"The programme funding is covered by the African Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Partnership (ACHAP), the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Merck pharmaceutical company and the Merck Foundation," Phumaphi said.

Meanwhile, the British government has opted to finance the purchase of 500,000 female condoms and step up the current campaign to promote their use.

Theme (s): Care/Treatment - PlusNews,

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]