A total of seventy men have been circumcised in Ajeluk Health Center Three, Mukura Sub County in the eastern Uganda District of Ngora.
Martin Okiria Egau, the LC3 chairman in Mukura, and Simon Abau, the LC1 chairman in Ajeluk, are among the men who have successfully been circumcised.
Robert Otim, the program coordinator for safe male circumcision in Ngora district, says the turn out is good and over 100 men are expected to be circumcised by the end of today (7 September 2011).
He says circumcision is hygienic and curtails the chances of contracting HIV/AIDS by over 70%.
On 14 September, 2010, Uganda’s Ministry of Health launched its long-awaited policy on safe male circumcision for HIV prevention, during a ceremony presided over by the Minister of State for Health, Honorable Dr. Richard Nduhura.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNAIDS recommended in 2007 that adult male circumcision be adopted by countries as part of their HIV prevention intervention. The national policy and campaign strategy is much needed in Uganda, where only 25% of adult men are circumcised.
The policy seeks to contribute towards the reduction of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections through safe male circumcision. It will guide the planning, implementation and delivery of safe male circumcision services as part of routine health services.
