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PSI embarks on rural circumcision campaign

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PSI Zimbabwe has embarked on a rural campaign programme aimed at mobilising parents and community leaders to encourage medical male circumcision

POPULATION Services International (PSI) Zimbabwe has embarked on a rural campaign programme aimed at mobilising parents and community leaders to encourage the uptake of medical male circumcision among schoolgoing youths.

EDGAR GWESHE Own Correspondent

PSI director for the Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) programme, Ngonidzashe Madidi said the organisation was training community-based mobilisers to raise awareness on the circumcision programme in rural areas.

He said the programme was also designed to ensure that parents were well informed about medical male circumcision before they gave consent to their children. “The programme works with community-based mobilisers who are trained in VMMC demand creation. These cadres liaise with parents in the communities and give them basic information on VMMC and its benefits,” Madidi said.

“This is meant to ensure that parents make an informed decision when they give consent for the circumcision of their sons.”

He said PSI has been taking advantage of the school holidays and weekends to circumcise teenagers mobilised by the community-based mobilisers.

“As much as possible, consideration is also given not to interrupt school and to also involve parents in getting support and consent for the programme,” he said.

“In some instances, we have seen whole male members of families coming together including the children, fathers and members of the extended family.”

Madidi also said PSI had been working in rural districts in conjunction with the Ministry of Health and Child Care as well as uniformed forces to help create demand for VMMC.

“PSI Zimbabwe has been supporting the Ministry of Health and Child Care and uniformed services VMMC teams in 35 rural districts and the metropolitan provinces of Harare and Bulawayo. Demand creation activities have been carried out with the support from community leaders and schools,” Madidi said.

Studies have shown that VMMC reduces chances of one contracting HIV and Aids by 60%. Since last year, more than 200 000 males have been circumcised locally.