30 Oct 2016

Scientific studies in Kenya, South Africa and Uganda have revealed that Safe Male Circumcision (SMC) can reduce HIV/AIDS infection by 60 per cent.

The sentiments were shared by Jhpiego SMC nurse, Mr Kaelo Masoloko at a SMC workshop in Bobonong recently where Jhpiego supported the training of 26 SMC demand creation volunteers.

Mr Mosoloko said the exercise was part of Bobirwa District Health Management Team’s (DHMT) plan of reviving their efforts of scaling up SMC in the district to reach their target of circumcising more than 1 800 men this year.

He added that Jhpiego supported the district with training of SMC technical providers and planning of SMC outreach activities and campaigns to ensure that the set targets were met.

Mr Masoloko said negative information reaching out people about SMC were misleading, adding that there has been myths that SMC causes infertility.

He said the reality was that SMC reduces the risks of HIV/AIDS infection by 60 per cent and lowers risks of STI and urinary tract infections.

“Countries like Nigeria which have been long conducting Safe Male Circumcision has less number of people infected with HIV/AIDS,” he added. He also said SMC lowers risks of penile and cervical cancer.

Mr Masoloko stressed that surgical as well as prepex/device were the two methods used in adolescent/adult SMC.

For his part, health promotion and education officer at Bobirwa DHMT, Mr Goabaone Kgori said it was important to disseminate right information about SMC to the community.

“Facility levels like clinics and psychological support centres eases dissemination of information,” he said. He said media, branding and doing school health talks were the means that could be used to spread information about SMC.

“Awareness about SMC and its benefits is crucial,” he emphasised.

Mr Kgori encouraged people more especially male persons to test and know their HIV/AIDS status. ENDS