Nsanje DHO hails medical circumcision
Nsanje district director of health and social services Gilbert Chapweteka has encouraged the youth and men to go for voluntarily medical male circumcision (VMMC) Family Health Services is implementing in the district.
Speaking yesterday after a District Executive Committee members meeting, he said VMMC is one of the ways to help reduce the further spread of new HIV infections in the district.
Said Chapweteka: “Our adolescent boys aged from 15 and above are at risk of contracting the new HIV infections, but this could be reduced if they access circumcision.
“Let all boys and men aged between 15 and 45 access circumcision.”
Family Health Services learning and evaluation officer Francis Shaba said they are targeting 9 280 youths and men from February to September this year.
He said: “We will engage experts to offer high quality biomedical interventions to help avert new HIV infections in the district.
“We will use road shows and football matches to mobilise young people and men for the circumcision sessions.”
Elias Tembo from Mwanavumbe Village in Senior Chief Mlolo said he was looking forward to the exercise.
“I am looking forward to the exercise because, as young people, we have the responsibility to prevent the spread of HIV, a virus that causes Aids,” he said.
In Nsanje, at least 38 056 males accessed circumcision offered by Jhpiego Malawi, according to Family Health Services data.
Family Health Services targets to reach 67 937 youths and men from 2024 to 2029.
The project dubbed Kuteteza will be implemented in 10 districts, but the first phase will cover Nsanje, Chikwawa, Blantyre, Mulanje and Phalombe.
The organisation said it will will spend K1.1 billion from the United States Agency for International Development in Nsanje.
