Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Why I oppose circumcision as a way of HIV/AIDS prevention tool.

I have opposed and continue opposing circumcision as a tool to fight HIV/AIDS. There are many reasons and issues associated with this act way back in history of human kind. So reasons are religious, cultural and in some cases, it was used to humiliate slaves by colonial businessmen and masters.

These are my reasons why I oppose circumcision. I don’t see how active it may be in terms of preventing AIDS/HIV. Researchers and promoters of this barbaric act say that in Uganda, it prevents 51% of the transmission, in Kenya they say 53% and in South Africa 50+. This was revealed by Dr.Makobore, a practicing surgeon in Mulago Hospital (National referral hospital) to be my personal Doctor while appearing on Sanyu FM breakfast show on 26th January 2010 but still, while I honor, admire and respect him as one of the best Doctors Uganda had produced, I disagree with him on circumcision.

If this act, prevents HIV/AIDS transmission by more than 51%,why are we witnessing more HIV/AIDS death in Moslem communities in Uganda, why it’s the same comes in Mbale, a region known to take this barbaric act as traditional transfer of boys to manhood and almost 99.0% of residents in this area are circumcised!

Why the HIV/AIDS transmission is is alarming in Kenya where 53 out of 54 tribes circumcise culturally? This is the same thing in South Africa. So do you think 50+% is very small not to be seen by ordinary (Not scientists) men like me?

From my point of view, campaigners and promoters of this action are simply in business and making huge money, it’s the only remaining tunnel for money inflow for NGOs. In 2004, I checked with the NGO forum of Uganda and was alarmed to note that during this time, there were 5000 registered member NGOs registered by this forum that focus on the field of HIV/AIDS business only. So now, you can must imagine the number of NGOs making money on HIV/AIDS. This paves a way that the message they take to the public is no longer strong, they themselves made the ABC strategy inactive, its now circumcision that brings in money and keep them running. This is a money scam of its kind and no wonder it’s attracting attention in both EU states and USA.

It’s your right to reject my observation just as it is my right to reject the message. You can go ahead and promote or practice this act but that’s you. Do not try to impose it on others as the Government of Uganda wants to do.I have met and talked to individuals who were circumcised during their childhood and now feel very sad and they want their foreskin back,these are people in their 40S,50 and 60s? Why is this like that? Is that barbaric action is really nice and disease preventor?

There must be a role played by circumcision in prevention of STDs and HIV/AIDS but the percentage cannot be such a big percentage of 50+% and we must be careful on disregarding that role. In saving lives, each percentage matter a lot but let us not exaggerate facts. It creates no volume when the results are not visible to ordinary man like me.

Finally, I strongly feel and stand on the fact that safer condom practice is the best option. We can also add on that “better free arranged sexual education in schools with no censorship” can do wonderful work in preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS and other STDs related infections NOT circumcision. Researchers have demonstrated and proved that Children who were taught on sexual behavior take long to engage in sexual acts and when they do, they are always able to make right decisions before sexual engagement.

Life is precious, enjoy it as you can safely by using condoms

1 comment:

Mark Lyndon said...

Circumcision is a dangerous distraction in the fight against AIDS. There are six African countries where men are *more* likely to be HIV+ if they've been circumcised: Cameroon, Ghana, Lesotho, Malawi, Rwanda, and Swaziland. Eg in Malawi, the HIV rate is 13.2% among circumcised men, but only 9.5% among intact men. In Rwanda, the HIV rate is 3.5% among circumcised men, but only 2.1% among intact men. If circumcision really worked against AIDS, this just wouldn't happen. We now have people calling circumcision a "vaccine" or "invisible condom", and viewing circumcision as an alternative to condoms.

The one randomized controlled trial into male-to-female transmission showed a 54% higher rate in the group where the men had been circumcised btw.

ABC (Abstinence, Being faithful, Condoms) is the way forward. Promoting genital surgery will cost African lives, not save them.