RECIFE, Brazil – Brazil’s Minister of Health, Alexandre Padilha, highlighted the importance of safe sex practices during Carnival celebrations, announcing the distribution of 138 million condoms nationwide as the festivities kicked off Saturday in Recife. The initiative marks the first Carnival season featuring two new condom models offered by the Unified Health System (SUS): textured (TEX) and ultra-thin (SENSI), incorporated into the program in 2025 to increase uptake, particularly among young people.
Padilha began his Carnival schedule with a breakfast meeting with representatives from the Galo da Madrugada bloco, one of the largest Carnival groups in the world. During the meeting, he emphasized the Ministry of Health’s combined prevention strategy, which extends beyond condom distribution.
“We have numerous health professionals ensuring a safe and wonderful Carnival here in Recife and throughout the country,” Padilha stated. “We have professionals from SAMU [the Brazilian Mobile Emergency Care Service], health posts, testing centers for syphilis and HPV, as well as vaccines against HPV and measles.”
The Minister stressed the ongoing availability of both male and female condoms, as well as PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) for HIV prevention. “It is important to be protected at all times,” he said.
The 138 million condoms distributed to states in the last three months comprise approximately 132 million external condoms, including the new TEX and SENSI varieties and 3.8 million internal condoms made of latex or nitrile. The distribution is part of the government’s “Carnaval com prevenção. Antes, durante e depois da folia, é o governo do Brasil do seu lado” (Carnival with prevention. Before, during and after the festivities, the Brazilian government is on your side) campaign, featuring singer Gaby Amarantos.
The campaign aims to reach young adults, reinforcing the SUS’s comprehensive prevention strategy, which includes vaccinations against hepatitis A and B and HPV, rapid testing for HIV, syphilis, and viral hepatitis, and PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis), available within 72 hours of potential exposure.
Alongside the health initiatives, Recife also saw the symbolic meeting of two versions of Zé Gotinha, the mascot of Brazil’s immunization campaigns. The traditional Zé Gotinha was joined by Zé Gotão, a giant version of the character created by local artist Miguel dos Bonecos, to promote vaccination and disease prevention during the crowded Carnival celebrations.
Padilha also underscored the importance of early HIV diagnosis as a key public health strategy. “Testing is an essential tool for saving lives. The earlier the diagnosis, the greater the chance of starting treatment, improving quality of life, and interrupting the chain of transmission,” he said.
Condoms and rapid tests for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis are available free of charge at Basic Health Units (UBSs) and Testing and Counseling Centers (CTAs) throughout Brazil. PEP is also available at these health facilities following risk exposure.
