Government has expressed concern over low numbers of men going for circumcision.
Statistics indicate that Malawi has not done well in its circumcision exercise as out of 10 750 men that the ministry of health planned to circumcise in 3 months only 1,070 went for the circumcision.
Rose Nyirenda HIV and AIDS and Viral hepatitis Director in the ministry of Health has told MIJ Online that the focus was on Districts with high burden of new HIV infections among men.
“We targeted eight high burden Districts such as Lilongwe, Blantyre, Mulanje, Chikwawa, Balaka, Zomba, Mangochi and Machinga but the turnout wasn’t that impressive. It is worrisome that some men are not willing to go for circumcision” said Nyirenda.
Nyirenda added by emphasizing the need for men to go for circumcision saying circumcision helps prevent the spread of HIV.
“At the moment we have intensified our circumcision awareness programmes and we have targeted Barbershops, Betting points and Churches because these are the place most men gather.” said Nyirenda.