Population Services International (PSI), one of the biggest donors behind the drive to have at least 1,2 million men getting the cut said it needed the support of other stakeholders to reach more people.
Experts say male circumcision reduces the risk of heterosexually acquired HIV infection in men by approximately 60%.
“At least 41 000 men have been circumcised since the commencement of the programme,” PSI male circumcision programme manager Roy Dhlamini told journalists last week.
Dhlamini was speaking at a briefing organised by the Southern Africa HIV and Aids Information Dissemination Service. “We are targeting 1,2 million males by 2015, which is just a drop in the ocean, there is need to scale up the programme,” Dhlamini said.
“Strong support is also needed from other ministries such as the Ministry of Education (Sport and Culture).”
Dhlamini bemoaned lack of resources such as transport to ferry clients to surgical sites and delays in getting permission to enter schools, making it difficult to meet demand.
He said there was also need for dedicated staff, space and increased efficiency models and also mobile health care facilities. Dhlamini said the Pinda MuSmart campaign where they were partnering with the popular dancehall singer Winky D was successful as they had managed to reach 7 039 men between April and May.
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Another 12 600 young men were circumcised between August and September. Globally, 665 million men (30% males) are circumcised, which is far below the targeted goal.
Of that number, 68% are Muslims, 0,8% are Jewish while 13% are US males. Male circumcision is part of the HIV prevention package that also covers men’s sexual reproductive health.
