Kanchibiya District Health Director, Aaron Ngwevu has called on stakeholders and the media to collaborate in sensitising the general public on the ongoing Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) in the area.

Dr Ngwevu says there is a need for enhanced sensitisation if the three months VMMC programme that has been running since April is to be successful.

He stated that VMMC runs for three months every year and there is a need to increase the numbers through sensitisation for Kanchibiya District to meet the target of 1,900 circumcisions.

Dr Ngwevu expressed concern that sensitisation programmes are currently only being conducted at the facility level.

He said sensitisation can also be done through radio stations, adding that leaders should also come on board to help with sensitisation.

“We call upon stakeholders, the clergy, village headmen and women and also chiefs to help the Ministry of Health spread the word on the importance of medical male circumcision,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Dr Ngwevu has clarified that circumcision is voluntary but of great importance to both male and female populations.

“This is a voluntary programme and people must understand what it is about before they make a decision of getting circumcised,” he said.

He encouraged men to take up the responsibility of protecting their spouses by voluntarily getting circumcised.

And Arnold Mulenga, a Chalabesa resident in Kanchibiya district, has applauded the Ministry of Health on the continued health programmes taking place in the district.

Mr Mulenga said enhanced sensitisation on the medical male circumcision is necessary, especially in rural areas where many people have less or no information on the benefits of getting circumcised.

Mr Mulenga noted that in rural areas people are ignorant about certain issues adding that if such programmes are aired on the radio many people will be made aware as radio has a wider listenership.

Ms Marrian Mwewa, a restaurant owner, underscored the importance of male circumcision saying it helps to protect women from sexually transmitted infections.

“If our young boys and partners take the step to get circumcised this also means that we are also protected,” she said.

According to records, the district recorded a total of 866 circumcisions, with 266 recorded in April while 600 between May and the start of this month, June.