The Department of Health has whole-heartedly welcomed the assistance offered by a British department to purchase additional condoms for South Africa.

Gareth Thomas, the British Minister for International Development, has revealed that his department will be helping in providing as many as 42 million condoms as a part of a broader initiative to stepping up the treatment of HIV.

The official announcement was made during an emergency meeting that was held on Tuesday in Westminster, in order to re-energize global efforts to take care of HIV and AIDS.

The department has stressed that the announcement has come through at a time when the health department is making its efforts to fight the spread of HIV across SA more strong.

"In few weeks' time, South Africa will be hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup and this assistance will further boost the country's readiness to provide for the healthcare needs of thousands of soccer fans expected to come into the country during the month-long tournament", said Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi.

"We have distributed millions of condoms for males and females respectively, but we acknowledge that much more needs to be done", he added.