Boost for male circumcision

23 Oct, 2016 - 00:10 0 Views

The Sunday News

 

Tinomuda Chakanyuka, Sunday News Reporter
THE country’s Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) programme has received a boost following a donation of caravans that will be used to extend male circumcision services to remote areas that have been failing to access the services.

CircMed Tech, manufacturers of the PrePex male circumcision device, handed over three caravans to the Ministry of Health and Child Care.

Head of the TB and HIV unit in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Owen Mugurungi said the caravans will be used in Manicaland, Masvingo and Mashonaland East provinces.

The caravans add to the ones that are already being used in the programme.

He said the caravans will assist in reaching communities that have been finding it difficult to access circumcision services.

“One of the challenges we have been facing in scaling up the programme has been that of some communities that have been finding it difficult to access the service because they stay too far from the nearest clinic or hospital.

“With the introduction of caravans, the circumcision services can now be taken directly to the communities. Safe male circumcision services, particularly the ring method (PrePex) can be provided in the comfort of the caravan,” he said.

Dr Mugurungi added that the caravans will come in handy during this time of the year when most communities, particularly in rural areas, are busy preparing their fields for the summer cropping season and cannot find time to visit the nearest clinic to access circumcision services.

“Finding time to go to the clinic or hospital to access circumcision services becomes a struggle for them as they do not want to lose productive time in their fields or any other line of work.

“For such communities, we are excited to bring the circumcision service right to their ‘doorstep’. Our caravans can now be towed to farming communities, mining towns or any other locality that people require the service.

“So instead of spending time travelling to the hospital or clinic, one can continue with their work while the service is brought to the comfort of their home area or working environment,” said Dr Mugurungi.

He added the mobile VMMC programme was part of a raft of innovative measures by the ministry to achieve set targets as well as meet specific need of communities and potential clients.

“We ought to respond to the needs of our communities and potential clients and therefore we are making as many efforts as possible to invest in innovations and mobilise resources to ensure that every man in Zimbabwe who would want to get circumcised will do so,” he said.

Dr Mugurungi expressed confidence that the ministry will meet this year’s target of circumcising 291 583 men, having circumcised 122 246 by August.

“We had a slow start to the year due to delays in our funding streams, but we are working hard to cover up on the lost time and we are hopeful that we will do our very best in the remainder of the year to get closer to our annual target,” he said.

The country is inching closer to the overall VMMC programme target of 1,3 million, with a cumulative 732 472 men having been circumcised since the programme started in 2009.

@irielyan

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