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The Gauteng Health Department is urging STI prevention through the distribution of free condoms ahead of Valentine’s Day.
As the world celebrates Valentine’s Day, on February 14th, on Saturday, the Gauteng Health Department is encouraging all residents to visit their nearest public health facility and access free male and female condoms.
The department’s Maeshela Maheya is encouraging safe sex during this month of love and passion and avoid an increase on Sexual Transmitted Infections (STIs), HIV infections and teenage pregnancy.
#STIsCondomWeek Condoms reduce the risk of HIV, STIs and unplanned pregnancies, and they’re still one of the simplest tools we have for safer sex. Make protection part of every choice you make. pic.twitter.com/F9PySiHKuM
— National Department of Health (@HealthZA) February 6, 2026
Maheya emphasised that real love prioritises health and prevention is always better than cure.
“As we celebrate Valentines Day, the Gauteng Department of Health is reminding all residents that the greatest expression of love is protection. We are encouraging everyone who is sexually active to practice safe sex at all times. We are pleased to report encouraging progress in the fight against sexually transmitted infections in Gauteng,” says Maheya.
She says that in 2025, over 888000 men between the ages 15 and 39 were screened for STI’s, a significant increase from 2024.
“We’ve also seen a strong increase in the uptake of female condoms during the 2024/2035 financial year, the department exceeded its annual female condom distribution target,” she adds.
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