Experts say the move will accelerate the country’s pace to meet its targeted millennium development goals by 2015.
Addressing scribes in a HIV sensitization workshop, the National Aids Council male circumcision manager, Dr Roy Dlamini, acknowledged that celebrities and public figures played a pivotal role in society.
“We have discovered that when key public figures go for HIV testing, their following also went for HIV testing. We have worked with Winky D and Stunner. I was there and I can confirm it,” said Dlamini.
After the two urban groovers’ initiation was made public, several hospitals recorded a sharp increase in patients braving surgical removal of the foreskin.
“The experience was phenomenal. Before, we used to have an average of three people per week. But the figure shot up to 80 and 90 people per day at most hospitals after the two went public. It shows that role models can make a big impact in the public. And it will go a long way if we engage with them to fight against HIV and Aids and scale up progress to meet our MDGs,” he said.
“We are targeting other key public figures as well. We have also involved the Zimbabwe Footballers Union, which is taking MC to its members. At the moment two footballers have shown interest,” Dlamini added.
Meanwhile, NAC communications director Medelina Dube said they are proud that the Zimbabwe Music rights Association and the National Arts Council have shown interest in assisting with HIV and Aids awareness campaigns.
Post published in: Entertainment