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Angeline Mpofu  Chronicle Reporter
MORE than 21 000 men were circumcised during the countrywide Ministry of Health and Child Care mobile campaign.
Scientifically it has been proven that male circumcision reduces chances of contracting HIV and Aids by 60 percent as well as the development of cervical and prostate cancer in women and men.
The voluntary medical male circumcision mobile campaign ran between 14 August and 15 September throughout the country.

In an interview on Wednesday, the ministry’s advocacy communications officer, Mr Brian Nachipo, said the campaign recorded an increase in the number of circumcised men compared to the previous exercise, which was conducted between April and May.

“During the August to September campaign period, 21 237 males were circumcised throughout the country. This marks a sharp increase compared to the previous one between April and May,” said Mr Nachipo.

He attributed the increase to intensified awareness campaigns.

“The increase in the number of males who volunteered to undergo circumcision is largely because of Government efforts through training doctors and outreach programme teams for the programme. We also realised that most men have come to appreciate the benefits associated with male circumcision,” said Mr Nachipo.

He said during the campaign, the ministry and its partners were able to put together outreach teams in the different districts across the country to reach out to areas without male circumcision facilities.

The teams comprising doctors and nurses visited several districts.
Mr Nachipo urged men to undergo male circumcision, saying it contributed to reducing chances of contracting the HIV virus.

“We continue to urge men to get circumcised because it does not only reduce contracting HIV by 60 percent but it also prevents the development of prostate cancer in men,” he said.

Mr Nachipo said efforts were required in ensuring that information is disseminated to the targeted people.

“There are myths and misconceptions about male circumcision in Zimbabwe. The ministry and its partners will, however, continue to disseminate information through awareness campaigns and the media,” he said.