This is threatening to undermine the campaign which is aimed at reducing HIV incidences by 80% in the country among the 15-29 year olds by 2015. The slowing down of the campaign has created frustration among beneficiaries who have complained of several irregularities which they said was compromising the efficiency of the programme.
Some people who had visited designated centres with the intention of having the operation said they had been turned away several times. At one point I was referred from Marondera (General Hospital) to Parirenyatwa (Hospital) and further to ZNFPC, said one. Others who had the procedure performed on them bemoaned the lack of care when they go for the recommended follow ups.
Those who under-go the operation are required to go back for regular check- ups on the seventh and day and 42 six weeks visits. There have been no attempts to make follow ups as prescribed, to check for any possible infections after completing the surgical removal, said Ali Mareya of Mhangura adding that there was no confidentiality when they go for counselling at some sites.
National HIV Prevention Coordinator Getrude Ncube said, The challenges faced are as a result of inadequate human resources especially shortage of doctors, counsellors and nurses at some sites. She added that, There now is a carefully thought-through staff retention reward system for the provision of the male circumcision to assure a service delivery in a human resource constrained environment.
Post published in: News