Mexico: AHF’s “LOVE Condoms” Campaign Kicks off in Five Cities
AHF Hosted Launch Events in Mexico City, Cancun, Manzanillo, Monclova and Tijuana on Friday, Part of its Worldwide Advocacy Campaign to Scale-Up Global Condom Distribution and HIV Testing Efforts
By: AIDS Healthcare Foundation
Los Angeles, CA - August 31, 2009
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), has successfully launched its popular "Love Condoms’ campaign" in Mexico with five events last Friday, August 28, in five cities: Cancun, Manzanillo, Mexico City, Monclova and Tijuana. The launch of this innovative, local free condom distribution, HIV/AIDS advocacy and testing campaign is part of AHF’s worldwide effort initiated this summer in numerous countries around the world.
Of the more than 400 people who attended the all-day launch and testing event in Mexico City at Metro Insurgentes on Friday, 306 were tested for HIV. All participated in group pre-test counseling, lined up for testing under a large tent and received individual disclosure counseling. Eight people tested positive for HIV at the Mexico City event and each was linked to the Clinica Condessa for follow-up care and access to lifesaving antiretroviral treatment. The event included speeches by AHF leadership as well as partner organizations. Members of the Tri Gay Futbol Soccer Team, a supporter of AHF’s "LOVE Condoms" campaign in Mexico, were in attendance and got tested. AHF hosted additional launch and testing events earlier in the month in Cuernavaca, Ensenada, Merida and Villahermosa.
"Today AHF is proud to launch the ‘LOVE Condoms’ campaign in Mexico with our continued free HIV testing efforts. This is only possible through our coalition partnerships, including condom contributions from the local government and wide cooperation," said Drs. Patricia Campos Lopez, Chief of AHF’s Latin America Bureau from the Mexico City launch. "It was great to see the crowds of people lined up for HIV testing out on the busy Metro Insurgentes plaza—married women got tested with their children looking on, single men, single women and families all tested together. These are clear indicators that stigma in Mexico is not a barrier to people seeking their HIV status."
AHF’s "LOVE Condoms" campaign is part of the organization’s innovative, worldwide HIV prevention and awareness campaign featuring the promotion and distribution of "LOVE"-branded condoms and an informational website www.getfreecondoms.org. The "LOVE Condoms" campaign has already launched to great success in several countries, including India, Swaziland, Lithuania, Ukraine, South Africa, Estonia, Thailand and Uganda.
"Following "LOVE Condom" campaign launches this summer in India, Swaziland, Lithuania, Ukraine, South Africa, Estonia, Thailand and Uganda, AHF is here in Mexico City to emphasize the importance of condoms and testing in the fight to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS," said AHF’s Terri Ford, Senior Director of Global Policy/Advocacy. "Thank you to the partners that are working with AHF to bring free HIV/AIDS prevention and testing services to those most in need. This is an advocacy campaign—a way to provide people with the information and the tools they need to stay safe and healthy."
AHF’s global ‘Love Condoms’ campaign features 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’. These condoms are being 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. Due to bureaucratic delays, however, the "LOVE Condoms" were not available for distribution at last Friday’s launch events. However, in Mexico City, bright red "LOVE Condoms" t-shirts, hats, umbrellas and bracelets were distributed and more than 500 people lined up to get tested for HIV. In addition, thousands of condoms—donated by local government and civil society groups—were distributed.
"AHF is launching the ‘LOVE Condom’ Campaign in Mexico—unfortunately, without ‘LOVE Condoms,’" said Dr. Jorge Saavedra, AHF’s Chief of Global Affairs. "Due to excessive bureaucracy the importation of the ‘LOVE’-branded, World Health Organization-certified condoms has been nearly impossible. During a worldwide economic crisis, declining the donation of needed resources is very concerning. We need condoms in this country now and we need the barriers lifted."
About The ‘Love Condoms’ Campaign
The LOVE Condom 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.
To learn more about the LOVE Condom Campaign, please visit: www.getfreecondoms.org
