(From Swazi Media Commentary 2 October 2008 www.swazimedia.blogspot.com)
I see that male circumcision is being peddled once again in Swaziland as a
solution to the HIV crisis.
Swaziland’s Deputy Director of Health Services Dr Vusi Magagula has come
out to say ‘The
research evidence that MC [male circumcision] can reduce heterosexual
transmission of HIV is overwhelming. The efficacy of reducing female to
male transmission of HIV has been beyond reasonable doubt.’ [This is a
direct quote from the Swazi Observer; I assume the newspaper left out the word
‘proved’ in error] The Observer today (1
October 2008)reports that the Swaziland Ministry of Health and Social
Welfare is currently preparing a male circumcision policy which will
sensitise most men about circumcision and further guide medical experts
on how to go about circumcising them. It is
alarming just how ignorant people can be about male circumcision and
the fact that Swaziland’s deputy director of health services seems to
be unaware that for every one expert who claims that male circumcision
helps prevent HIV infection there is another who says the opposite,
casts doubts on his suitability for the job.
There is extensive debate
in the medical community about circumcision and HIV and it is simply
not true as Magagula claims that its efficacy has been proved ‘beyond
reasonable doubt’.
I wrote extensively in May 2008 and after about this debate so I won’t
repeat the details here. Click on this link for more.
HIV AIDS is quite literally
killing Swaziland which has the highest rate of HIV infection in the
world and average life expectancy of about 31 years. It is vital that
people are educated about HIV and its transmission. For someone of
Magagula’s rank to make such an irresponsible statement about
circumcision and for the Observer to report it under the headline The Cut That
Can Save a Nation is totally irresponsible and sends Swaziland a little closer
to the grave.
See also CIRCUMCISION
Link http://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2008/10/swaziland-circumcision-new-lie.html
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