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(ZIMEYE) “Circumcision of Zimbabweans a US Agenda”

(ZIMEYE) “Circumcision of Zimbabweans a US Agenda”
By Business Reporter
Published: January 13, 2012

(Harare)THE Government of Zimbabwe is to force its ministers to undergo circumcision in seeking to combat the spread of HIV, AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, but little do they know that circumcision may actually be a US cultural agenda, according to Ronald Goldman, Ph.D, of the US Boston based Circumcision Resource Centre together with many other ZimEye readers.

Thousands of dollars of government and donor money which could have been utilised to create employment and poverty alleviation programs are to be wasted although the circumcision method actually increases HIV transmission and causes physical, sexual, and psychological harm, the argument states.

Last year Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani announced government was to force ministers to under the surgery. Khupe(pictured) said that the decision was in line with strategies Government was implementing to curb the spread of HIV and Aids.

“Research has shown that circumcised men are eight times less likely to contract HIV. Therefore, as leaders in Government, we should lead by example so that when we cascade to the grassroots they understand the importance and benefits of the exercise,” she said.

But US experts argue that the research which led to the national conclusion has serious flaws

Argues Dr Goldman who is supported by other experts:

“For American society, circumcision is a solution in search of a problem, a social custom disguised as a medical issue. Beware of culturally-biased studies on circumcision posing as science, and take your whole baby home,”

He adds:

“Many professionals have criticized the studies claiming that circumcision reduces HIV transmission. They have various flaws. Authorities that cite the studies have other agendas. Circumcision causes physical, sexual, and psychological harm. Other methods to prevent HIV transmission (e.g., condoms and sterilizing medical instruments) are much more effective, much cheaper, and much less invasive.”

Another journal article published by Robert S. Van Howe and Michelle R. Storms, states the circumcision solution proposed by United Nations has several fundamental flaws.

"Waste of money" ... Zimbabwe's Circumcision clinics criticised

An introduction to the research journals reads:

“The World Health Organization and UNAIDS have supported circumcision as a preventive for HIV infections in regions with high rates of heterosexually transmitted HIV; however, the circumcision solution has several fundamental flaws that undermine its potential for success.

This article explores, in detail, the data on which this recommendation is based, the difficulty in translating results from high risk adults in a research setting to the general public, the impact of risk compensation, and how circumcision compares to existing alternatives.

Based on our analysis it is concluded that the circumcision solution is a wasteful distraction that takes resources away from more effective, less expensive, less invasive alternatives. By diverting attention away from more effective interventions, circumcision programs will likely increase the number of HIV infections.” More to follow.CLICK HERE for the paper (ZimEye, Zimbabwe)

Labels: CIRCUMCISION, FRAUD, HIV/AIDS

posted by MrK @ 6:18 PM