National News
Aids groups slam FIFA
2010-06-03 22:25
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Johannesburg - Aids organisations on Thursday accused football's governing body FIFA of blocking access to condoms and HIV education materials at World Cup stadiums and fan parks.
The HIV Clinicians Society and several other organisations said in a statement: "To date FIFA has not permitted any civil society organisation to distribute HIV or health related information.
"FIFA has not provided any written confirmation that condoms may be distributed at stadiums and within the fan fests."
The groups said FIFA had a "moral obligation" to partner with local organisations in fighting HIV in the world's worst-affected country.
An estimated 5.7 million of South Africa's 48 million people are HIV positive, raising concern about the disease spreading during the June 11 to July 11 World Cup.
The country launched the world's largest HIV testing and treatment programme in April, aimed at providing drugs to 80% of HIV-positive inhabitants and testing 15 million people by the end of June 2011.
The organisations encouraged FIFA to support the new initiative.
"The World Cup is an opportunity to take forward this campaign and to combine sport with messages about HIV prevention and healthy living that can be heard by millions," they said.