The Sunday News
THE Ministry of Health and Child Care has from this month approved the use of the PrePex device for male circumcision on adolescents from the age of 15.
Previously the device was only available for males above 18 years while the surgical option was available to all age groups including neo-natals. The Director TB and Aids Unit in the Ministry, Dr Owen Mugurungi, confirmed the development.
“With effect from July the PrePex device has now been approved for use among adolescents from 15 years upwards on the existing sizes. The programme continues to scale up services to increase coverage and reach to all eligible men,” he said.
He said there has been thorough training of Rural Health Centre nurses to provide the device method in areas in their catchment areas. The Caravan model is also being stepped up to bring service to men in their areas of comfort like shopping centres and workplaces.
To date, the Ministry of Health and Child Care has done 668 217 male circumcision procedures nationally since 2009, the target being to circumcise 1,3 million by 2017. Research noted male circumcision reduces the chances of getting HIV infection by an estimated 60 percent. It is also said that 600 000 new HIV infections can also be averted by 2025 if VMMC is taken up well.
Dr Mugurungi said compared to when the new PrePex device method was introduced, there were more men choosing circumcision through this method although the number is still much lower than of those accessing the surgical method.
“The main reason is that it (PrePex) allows them to go to their work immediately after placement and there is minimal interference with day to today activities. The method is currently being rolled out through the use of mobile caravans in both urban and rural areas and is being further decentralised to rural health centres among other areas to increase access to this option,” he said.
The Health Ministry said from January to May 2016 a total of 19 460 male circumcision procedures were done using the PrePex devices.
Dr Mugurungi said the national target for the PrePex devices is 87 461 which is 30 percent of the total male circumcision target of 291 538 for the year 2016.
Zimbabwe is one of the 14 most burdened countries with HIV infection in Africa.
If the country manages to reach its desired targets in Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision, it is said it will save approximately $3 billion in terms of costs for HIV management.
The Government launched an ambitious US$100 million Accelerated Operational Plan 2014-2018 for male circumcision expected to see at least 80 percent of the male population being voluntarily circumcised.
The PrePex device is a painless procedure of circumcision that involves placement of a plastic ring around the male organ and gradually removing the unwanted foreskin. The procedure is painless and does not involve any cutting of the organ.
- @NyembeziMu
