The Nation (Nairobi)

Zimbabwe: Ministers to Be Circumcised

By Kitsepile Nyathi, 29 August 2011

Harare — Zimbabwean Cabinet ministers will be circumcised under a programme meant to reduce the spread of HIV and Aids.

The programme will also target MPs and councillors.

Since a 2005 study in South Africa found that male circumcision reduces the risk of transmitting HIV by 60 per cent in cases of heterosexual sex, Zimbabwe has stepped up the campaign to have men circumcised.

"Circumcised men are eight times less likely to contract HIV," deputy prime minister Thokozani Khupe said.

She told the Sunday News leaders should lead by example if the country is to achieve zero deaths emanating from the scourge. The target is to reach five million people.

The programme started in 2009 on funds by donors such as the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.

Zimbabwe is one of the few African countries that have witnessed a decline in HIV transmission rates from 29 to 16 per cent between 1997 and 2007 and further down to 13 per cent currently.

Researchers have attributed the trend to behaviour change because of improved public awareness of AIDS deaths and a subsequent fear of contracting the virus.

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  • foryohjonathan0000
    Aug 31 2011, 01:55
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    BRAVO; AFRICA CULTURES MUST BE FLOURISH FOREVER !!!

  • kjrs120
    Sep 18 2011, 21:05
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    Circumcision has not been part of an "African culture" except where there is a Muslim population or on a tribal basis.

    Sexually, the HIV/AIDS virus enters the body through the semen and vaginal secretions and circumcision does NOT stop the release of those body fluids nor does it stop the viruses contained in the secretions from entering the body. In one go, the body fluids of an infected person contain loads if HIV viruses and no matter what, WHETHER CIRCUMCISED OR NOT CIRCUMCISED, if sex is unprotected, they enter the human body.

    Zimbabwe is experiencing a great reduction in its HIV/AIDS infections with its foreskins intact without mandated circumcisions because of the education and the use of condoms. Circumcising men and giving them a false sense of security of circumcision is giving them a green light to have unprotected sex and Zimbabwe will wake up to find its HIV/AIDS infections out of control. For one, circumcision does not prevent HIV/AIDS and for another, with the prepuce removed men will find themselves with less sensitivity of the glans penis prolonging the sexual act and therefore having a high chance of causing small lacerations on both the male and female accommodating an added entrance of the viruses. Those who say that circumcision has helped reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS I suggest you look at who conducted such research. Let the WHO be the one to make that research as they will not have self- interest in those procedures.