The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube Post Correspondent
THE voluntary male circumcision has been received with resistance, myths and misconceptions in urban and rural areas, with some linking the programme to satanism and against their religious affiliations particularly in Marange District.
This emerged at the Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) meeting with traditional leaders held at a local hotel last Friday.
Chief Marange, who was part of the participants, said some apostolic sect members in Mutare District were resisting the male circumcision programme and actually “feared” that it would compromise their religious rites and beliefs.
“People in Marange are resisting this programme. More information should be imparted on them. Does one end up with a wound or is one put on medication after the procedure? These are some of the questions people in my area need clarity on. Most of them do not have adequate information of the programme, hence they are avoiding it,” he said.
Manicaland provincial STI/HIV coordinator, Mr Charles Uzande, said the circumcision programme in some areas was still being viewed with suspicion, with some communities associating it with satanism.
“The programme has been received with myths and misconceptions, with some communities still associating it with Satanism. Some view it as a programme only meant for Muslims as well as a practice only meant to sterilise men and boys.
“We decided to engage chiefs and conscientise them that HIV is with us and it needs to be combated if ever we are to leave a legacy for the next generation,” he said.
He said the circumcision programme was moving at a snail’s pace in Chimanimani and Nyanga because one of the partners, ZACH/ZICHIRE withdrew their fleet of vehicles.
He, however, expressed confidence that the coming in of Global Fund in the districts would alleviate the crisis. In his presentation at the same event, National Male Circumcision Coordinator in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Mr Sinokuthemba Xaba, said Zimbabwe’s strategic goal for VMMC was to contribute to the reduction of HIV incidence by scaling up VMMC to reach 80 percent of HIV negative men between 13 to 29 years by 2017.
“As part of the Accelerated Strategic and Operational Plan 2014 to 2018, 212 000 infections would be averted by 2025.
“Zimbabwe has circumcised approximately 51percent (as of May 2016) of the target set for the period 2012 to 2017. Among other challenges hampering the smooth flow of the programme was inadequate transport to carry out outreach work and competing priorities for health workers,” he said.
Zimbabwe has consistently achieved more than 80 percent of its annual target since 2013.
Last year, out of the targeted 266 580 circumcised male people, 188 732 were circumcised, while this year (up to May), out of the 291 538 male circumcision target, 66 914 have been circumcised.
In 2017, 317 000 males are targeted for circumcision.
