[afro-nets] Commonwealth Medical Association calls on African Governments to adopt male circumcision in HIV fight

["Brian Pazvakavambwa" <PazvakavambwaB@zw.afro.who.int>]

Commonwealth Medical Association calls on African Governments to adopt male circumcision in HIV fight
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http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/13/569334

Thursday, 7th June, 2007
  
Ohaneba and Kiirya at the HIV/AIDS workshop, Wednesday
 
By Moses Mulondo 

COMMONWEALTH experts have urged African governments to adopt male circumcision as a measure of fighting HIIV/AIDS. This was on Wednesday at the opening of a three-day symposium organised by the Commonwealth Medical Association at Kabira country club. 

"At the World Health Organisation Geneva convention last September, it was resolved, on the basis of research findings, that circumcision minimises the infection rate of HIV. We, therefore, call upon African governments to sanction circumcision in combating AIDS," said Danso Ohaneba, the secretary of the association. 

"In Ghana, where circumcision is a traditional practice with about 90% of the men circumcised, the percentage of HIV positive people is as low as 3.1%," said Joseph Amuzu, the health adviser at the Commonwealth Secretariat. 

The Uganda Health Service Commission chairperson, Prof. George Kiirya, said he supported the call. 
"As a scientist, I respect research findings. If a medical study is carried out and it is found that circumcision can control HIV by 50%, I cannot dispute it," said Kirya, who was the guest of honour. 

The director general of Health Services, Dr. Sam Zaramba, said the health ministry would train health workers on how to carry out safe circumcision. "I encourage all male Ugandans, young and adults, to go for circumcision. It has very many advantages. Besides minimising HIV infection, it also prevents cervical cancer in women." 

Under the theme 'Strengthening the capacity to fight HIV/AIDS,' the symposium brought together health experts from Ghana, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. 

Established in 1991, the Commonwealth Medical Association has a special annual budget of 500,000 pound sterling, mainly for HIV symposiums to share ideas and experiences in combating the pandemic.
 
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Dr Brian Pazvakavambwa
WHO AFRO
InterCountry Support Team for Southern and Eastern Africa (IST/SEA/HIV) 
mailto:pazvakavambwab@zw.afro.who.int