Zimbabwe ministers to be circumcised

Tara klamp circumcision devices. Zimbabwean male Cabinet ministers will soon be circumcised under a programme meant to reduce the spread of HIV/Aids. FILE|AFRICA REVIEW 

 

By KITSEPILE NYATHI in HararePosted Monday, August 29 2011 at 14:57

Zimbabwean male Cabinet ministers will soon be circumcised under a programme meant to reduce the spread of HIV/Aids, government has said.

The programme will also target MPs and councillors a a way of encouraging men to get circumcised.

Since a 2005 study in South African 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.

“Research has shown that circumcised men are eight times less likely to contract HIV,” said deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe, who is spearheading the programme.

“Therefore as leaders in government we should lead by example so that when we cascade to the grassroots they understand the importance and benefits of the exercise.

“Our target is to have zero deaths emanating from HIV and Aids. We can only achieve that when opinion leaders are setting the pace.

“People need to understand that HIV is there and no one should think that talking about male circumcision is taboo.”