Zimbabwe MPs begin circumcision programme to fight spread of HIV
The Zimbabwean Parlia-ment has begun a male circumcision programme aimed at reducing cases of HIV and Aids in the country.
Last week 10 MPs went under the knife in a temporary clinic at the parliament building in the capital Harare as part of the new programme, established following a call by Zimbabwe’s woman Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe in September 2011.
Over a million people in Zimbabwe are thought to be HIV positive. Out of that figure, more than half are said to be receiving anti-retroviral treatment.
Blessing Chebundo, chairman of Zimbabwe Parliamen-tarians Against Aids and one of the first 10 politicians to undergo the 10-minute procedure, told the BBC it would hopefully encourage all Zimbabwean men to be circumcised.
He added that some 120 of his colleagues and staff in the parliament said they were interested in taking part in the programme.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Mail reported that Dr Owen Mugurungi, director of the Aids and TB unit with the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare, praised the parliamentarians for showing leadership on the issue.
“We are happy with this initiative and we are happy more leaders will come on board,” he said.
Reports from UNAids and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have stated that the grave risk of HIV infection among men via heterosexual intercourse could be reduced by 60 per cent if male circumcision was to be fully adopted.
In 2007, the UN agencies identified Zimbabwe and 13 other African countries as a priority for the development of male circumcision.
However, the BBC’s Philippa Roxby reports that circumcision “is not the whole solution”.
“Promoting safe sex, providing people with HIV testing services and encouraging the use of male and female condoms are all seen as equally important.”
He added: “Some experts also say there is a danger in sending out a message that circumcision can protect against HIV because it could lead to an increase in unprotected sex.”
