Government Starts Public Male Circumcision Next Month. 27/5/10

Three trials in Kenya, Uganda and South Africa demonstrated that male circumcision reduces the rate of HIV infection in heterosexual relationships by 50 to 60 per cent

AllAfrica

Kampala — The government is set to launch the National Safe Male Circumcision (SMC) policy next month which will enable youth get free circumcision services, an official from the Health ministry has said. The policy will give priority to teenagers between the ages of 15 to 25 years.

Highlighting the draft national policy on safe male circumcision as an alternative HIV control measure in Kampala yesterday, the assistant commissioner National Disease Control in the Ministry of Health, Dr Alex Opio, said the policy will enforce the law on safe male circumcision as a means of reducing the transmission of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

But Dr Opio warned that the resumption of sex before complete healing of the wound may increase the risk of acquisition of HIV infection among the recently circumcised people.

Fortnight period

He said the healing period should go up to two weeks. "The successful implementation of SMC will require additional resources and must be guided by a good policy," he said. Male circumcision, according to researchers, only significantly reduces risk.

Three trials in Kenya, Uganda and South Africa demonstrated that male circumcision reduces the rate of HIV infection in heterosexual relationships by 50 to 60 per cent. Male circumcision received endorsements by the World Health Organisation and the Ministry of Health as a proven safe way to prevent the spread of HIV. Rwanda and Kenya have adopted the measure as a key national strategy in the fight against HIV/AIDS.