Sanday Chongo Kabange, AfricaNews reporter in Lusaka, Zambia
Hundreds of Zambian men are enthusiastically queuing to be circumcised as part of measures to curb HIV/AIDS in that country. Reports say men are put on waiting lists for close to four months or more and are sometimes turned away due to lack of doctors and inadequate health centers for such cases.
A Zambian heath care organization has also launched an initiative aimed at increasing male circumcision services in the Southern African country. The initiative follows recent recommendations by the World Health Organization and UNAIDS that the practice be used in the fight against HIV. In March 2007, the two organizations recommended male circumcision as an HIV prevention measure provided it is used with other preventative mechanisms such as condom use.
The two UN groups found that male circumcision can reduce HIV prevalence by up to 40 per cent in 10 to 20 years. However, they caution that male circumcision does not provide complete prevention against the disease.
In Zambia, the Society for Family Health has launched a pilot project in Lusaka to help meet demand for male circumcision. The NGO said demand is increasing but that there are limited health care centers that offer comprehensive services. Less than 20 per cent of Zambian males are circumcised but many say they would consider if it is done safely and free of charge.
Located about 7 kilometres from Lusaka city centre, Society for Family Health in collaboration with the US government offers reproductive health related services such as condom distribution and family planning services. It has a small team of doctors, counselors and young peer educators.
Male circumcision has been in practiced in North Western Zambia by the Luvale people who include Mbunda, Chokwe, Luchazi, Ovimbundu and Nkangala as part of their traditional ceremony commonly referred to as “Mukanda” - meaning coming of age.
In Zambian tradition, circumcisers carry out the process on boys aged 7-12 years.
Traditional circumcisers employ a simple procedure with no anaesthesia but cold water and herbs that are applied to prevent infection, pain and promote healing.
Hundreds of Zambian men are enthusiastically queuing to be circumcised as part of measures to curb HIV/AIDS in that country. Reports say men are put on waiting lists for close to four months or more and are sometimes turned away due to lack of doctors and inadequate health centers for such cases.
