ABC+C fights AIDS

Calls for Uganda to integrate male circumcision into ABC


Some health professionals have called on Uganda to integrate routine male circumcision into the country's HIV prevention programme: Abstain, Be faithful and use a Condom.

In response to the findings, David Serwadda, Director of the Institute of Public Health at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda told members of Uganda's Parliamentary Committee on HIV and AIDS that the government needs to create policy that recognizes Circumcision as an effective HIV prevention method alongside the ABC strategy.

"We want the government to generate a policy for this service to be provided to the public in a safer manner," Serwadda said, adding that if the government does not establish a policy, some people will undergo risky circumcisions and thus have an increased risk of HIV transmission.

"Circumcision has very important policy implications, and if for some reason the policy is not formulated, people will go to all categories of people to circumcise them."

Requests for male circumcision in Kenya's Nyanza Province has tripled since the initial publication of circumcision research in December 2006.

According to Reuben Okioma, a physician at New Nyanza Provincial District Hospital, there has been a threefold increase in requests for the procedure since the studies were released.

People in the province do not traditionally practice circumcision. However, the study's findings "are definitely challenging the traditional views of the community," Okioma said.

He added that hospitals in the region have met the increased demand so far, but many more men would request the procedure if it became available at no cost.

Kawango Agot, project coordinator of the Kenya trial, said that health professionals are waiting for guidance from the World Health Organization before deciding whether to incorporate male circumcision as a national HIV prevention tool.

WHO in early March is scheduled to discuss the policy and operational and ethical issues surrounding the procedure at an international consultation.

Source: Kaiser Network 28/Mar/07

 

12-11-2007 Uganda: circumcision should not be used as HIV prevention method, says Uganda president, Museveni.

Botswana: Botswana President, Festus Mogae said he is "open-minded" about the circumcision procedure, adding, "Let's try it."

Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni said circumcision should not be promoted as a way to prevent HIV transmission because it could ‘encourage recklessness among youth.’

Museveni said he would continue to promote the ABC strategy for HIV prevention, which stands for abstinence, be faithful and use condoms. He said that some non-governmental organizations "have been saying rubbish about circumcision, but I will continue encouraging the youth to abstain." Museveni added that he would rather youth use condoms "as a fall-back position but not rely on circumcision." Museveni also encouraged youth to get married immediately after finishing their education.

In related news, Botswana President, Festus Mogae encouraged all men to be circumcised after receiving an HIV test. He added that the government is developing guidelines on circumcision but cautioned that HIV transmission still is possible after undergoing the procedure. Mogae said he is "open-minded" about the procedure, adding, "Let's try it."

Mogae called on the journalists to promote abstinence and routine HIV testing. He added that although HIV awareness has increased and the country has been successful in providing HIV treatment, more action is necessary to halt the transmission of HIV in Botswana.

Source: Kaiser Network 09/Nov/07

 

 

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