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Pacific athletes urged not to feel obligated to use free condoms

 Minister of Health Tuitama Dr Talalelei Tuitama
Ministry preference for protection is for athletes to avoid sexual contact
Source: Newsline Samoa

Apia, SAMOA — Condoms will be freely available for the athletes during the July Pacific Games but this does not mean they are obligated to use them.

More than a 1000  boxes of condoms have been put aside for use during the Games. These will be distributed at the games village and other locations where athletes and officials will be accommodated in both Savaii and Upolu.

But the Ministry of Health would like to stress that the condoms are primarily for protection should the need arises.

 “The athletes are not obligated to use them,” the Minister of Health Tuitama Dr Talalelei Tuitama appealed.

“The intention of the Ministry is to make the condoms available in case athletes is in a position where it is needed for health reasons.  Free condoms do not mean they must be used.”

The Ministry of Health’s message to local and overseas athletes who will be taking part in the July Pacific Games is that prevention is better than cure.

The Ministry focus is for athletes to be protected against any sexually transmitted diseases.

Tuitama said  the Ministry preference for protection is for athletes to avoid sexual contact.

“ We would like to see that they do not get into situations where they would have to use condoms,” Tuitama said.

But the Ministry is not ruling out there are athletes who may give in to romantic passion and if or when that happens there are condoms within easy reach for their health safety.

“ What is important is that  it is available when the need arises,” Tuitama said.

Making condoms available free during the Games is done in overseas countries Tuitama added.

Read more at Newsline Samoa