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CYMRU X HANDS OUT FREE CONDOMS IN BID TO PROMOTE SAFE SEX. 20/10/05

Date: 20-June-2006


On Thursday the 20th of October, members of Cymru X in Aberystwyth and Pontypridd will be handing out free condoms to those entering night clubs along with information regarding sexual health in a bid to educate and raise awareness of the growing numbers of those suffering from sexually transmitted diseases in Wales.

 A recent report presented to RCT Council highlights the severity of the situation in the area, with those contracting Chlamydia rising to 70% in 2005. The problem has been compounded by the fact that appointments for treatment of sexually transmitted diseases are nearly impossible to get. This is reflected in other areas of Wales, as Sexual Health Services suffer from severe lack of funding. In Aberystwyth, patients who are on waiting lists for the local GU Clinic will not be seen until December- a severe problem for a student town, where such services are in high demand.

Mabon ap Gwynfor, a member of Cymru X said:

‘An official Spokesperson from a sexual health advisory group has told us that they want to provide more services, more preventative measures in terms of educating young people about sex and sexually transmitted diseases, but they desperately need more money to fund these schemes. Young people today are not aware of the dangers of Chlamydia or Syphilis. It is the Government’s job to ensure that funding and education programme’s are in place.  That is why members of CymruX will this week hand out condoms at various night clubs to promote safe sex, and help educate people’.

Darren Price, another member of Cymru X added:

‘If young people live in a remote area they cannot access many services provided by sexual health advisors and Clinics, and they inevitably lose out. The situation in RCT is awful and this must stop. The same can be said for sexual health provision and free contraception in Welsh Students Unions. They are under funded and are struggling to maintain key Welfare Services. In 1997, Labour de-prioritised Sexual Health. Now we are witnessing the devastating reality of that neglect. We need more investment immediately.’

Ends- for more information contact Bethan Jenkins on 07725144100

Notes to Editor-

- We have been in contact with Health Officials in Wales. If you wish to receive more information regarding this issue, please contact Bethan Jenkins