01 Oct 2013

The outgoing assistant Minister of Health Mr. Gaotlhaetse Matlhabaphiri has urged church leaders to urge their congregations to go for safe male circumcision. When addressing Nkoyaphiri residents recently, Mr Matlhabaphiri said church leaders must complement government’s efforts to combat HIV/AIDS by encouraging their flock to embrace safe male circumcision as the best way to curb HIV prevalence in Botswana.

“The voice that is lacking in the SMC campaign is that of church leaders. All church leaders must start preaching the gospel of SMC and taking this campaign to another level,” he said. He said most Batswana are Christians and they would heed calls for them to go for SMC if the campaign is endorsed by the clergy. Mr Matlhabaphiri said he is disappointed in some church leaders who shun circumcision and label it as an abomination.

He said circumcision is endorsed in the bible as even Jesus Christ was circumcised. He said church leaders preach about faith and eternal life, and it follows that they should be preaching circumcision because it is meant to preserve lives. Mr Matlhabaphiri revealed that government is planning to circumcise all new born babies to create a future generation with no sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

“Such programs have proven to be effective in other African and Western countries,” he said.

The Minister expressed worry that Batswana males take health issues for granted, saying there is need for behavioral change to preserve Botswana’s small population. “The low rates at which males are coming forth for circumcision shows that we are very far from achieving our pillars of vision 2016. We will not conquer the scourge until we stand together as one,” he said.

He also revealed that some of the sponsors are pulling back because Batswana are not taking the SMC program seriously. He urged Batswana to individually shoulder the responsibility of fighting HIV/AIDS, adding that the funds that are being poured into HIV/AIDS could be used for other development projects.

“SMC prevents STIs, cervical cancer and HIV. Women are therefore urged to e

ncourage their male partners to take this program seriously. Smart and loving men get circumcised to protect their women, and smart women advice their men to circumcise to secure a healthy life free of STIs,” said Mr Matlhabaphiri. He further revealed that chances of a circumcised man getting infected by STIs and HIV are reduced by 60percent while women are equally protected from cervical virus and other STIs.

Meanwhile Nkoyaphiri residents promised the Minister that they will work harder to fight HIV/AIDS. Elders also said they will encourage their children and male partners to go for SMC. ENDS