…..Govt wants more men to consider voluntary circumcision
….. likhuba lelikhaliphako liyayicedza indzima, kanjalo nendvuku lecocekile iyatsandzeka,
….. schools circumcision campaign starts on 9 August 2024
BY MBONGENI NDLELA
MBABANE – Did you know that at least over 175,000 Eswatini males have been circumcised and now stand little chance of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections?
Even though the general feeling is that a larger portion of Eswatini males have still not yet undergone circumcision, three latest reports from the Swaziland HIV Incidence Measurement Survey (SHIMS) reveal a decline in the HIV incidence rate in the country, a testament to the effectiveness of Eswatini’s comprehensive HIV prevention efforts.
Medical experts have argued that circumcision (the surgery to remove the skin that covers the tip of a male’s foreskin) protects one from getting HIV by 60 percent.
Thembi Dlamini, a Quality Assurance Officer at Swaziland National AIDS Program (SNAP) under the Ministry of Health, today (23 July 2024) reminded Eswatini to consider circumcision in the upcoming schools campaign set to start on August 9, 2024.
Dlamini explained that Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) is one method the country adopted due to its permanent effects on HIV prevention.
“We have seen countries that practice Male circumcision as a culture, they have very low HIV prevalence in their countries. VMMC protects one from getting HIV by 60%, there are other significant benefits including reducing chances of getting cancer penile and cervical cancer in females, some sexually transmitted illnesses (STIs), and improved hygiene to name a few. It is those facts that informed Eswatini to adopt VMMC as another HIV prevention method,” she said before disclosing that more than 175,000 men in Eswatini have undergone circumcision—an admirable achievement.
“May we take this time and celebrate our heroes the men who stood up and took responsibility for themselves and their loved ones. You see a responsible man through the healthy decisions he makes. Today, I am here to remind those uncircumcised men that it’s your turn, make that decision, go and circumcise. Emaswati ayaye atsi likhuba lelikhaliphako liyayicedza indzima, kanjalo nendvuku lecocekile iyatsandzeka,” she said.
Dlamini further acknowledged PEPFAR for committing to financially assist the country.
She continued: “We are counting numbers and celebrating a reduction in HIV incidence rate because of the instrumental financial support that our donors are pumping into the country. As a nation, we express our gratitude and urge continued collaboration until we achieve an HIV-free nation, today we talk about a nurse-led VMMC program, because of donor funds and the Technical support we receive from Jhpiego. We were able to move from a doctor-led VMMC program to a nurse-led one, which made a significant change in the time a client spends in the facility. To date, over 140 nurses have been trained as VMMC providers. The nation should be assured that when visiting health facilities, a service provider will be waiting for you at the facility. One would also like to take this time and acknowledge the assistance of Jhpiego in ensuring that the quality of VMMC in this country adheres to WHO, PEPFAR, and National standards of VMMC. Biannual assessments are conducted to ensure adherence and all our VMMC sites have proved to perform excellently, and identified gaps are mitigated. We also have implementing partners supporting VMMC on the ground, we have URC, George Town University, The ASPIRE PROJECT, and The Luke Commission, our partners thank you for supporting the Ministry of Health.”
She said the National HIV strategic framework advocates for sustainable programs thus the integration of services including the VMMC program.
She explained that the Ministry of Health is also directing its efforts toward the integration of VMMC into routine service delivery in facilities.
