Blantyre targets 2 000 in male circumcision
Blantyre District Health Office (DHO) in partnership with PSI Malawi has embarked on a six-week voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) campaign in selected parts of Blantyre City targeting 2 000 males.
The campaign starts today and will run up to August 28 2015 covering Mzedi and South Lunzu Primary School during its first weeks.
Blantyre DHO senior health promotion officer Chrissy Banda said Nkolokoti, Chirimba, Nancholi, Namaru Community Based Organisation (CBO) in Blantyre Urban and Nkula, Chivumbe and Namaera (Blantyre Rural) are the standby sites.
“If turn up is low in the initial sites, then the teams will proceed to the backup [standby] sites. Communication activities to encourage men to come for the VMMC services have started in areas surrounding the sites which will provide services,” she said.
Health officials say VMMC contributes to risk reduction of HIV acquisition as well as contracting sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis and herpes, among others.
PSI Malawi service delivery manager Pamela Msukwa said the campaign will cost about K20 million ($40 000).
