Dear Editor,

I write to advise fellow men about the need to consider circumcision as a means of reducing the HIV infection levels. It may not be the 100 percent solution but certainly it does work.

Experts say that the foreskin is vulnerable to tears and ulcers that provide an entry point for HIV. The inner skin is very soft and allows HIV to easily penetrate. When this is cut off, the tip of the penis hardens making it difficult for HIV to penetrate.

The circumcision move has been adopted by Rwanda and other countries like Kenya.

Last week, the assistant commissioner for National Disease Control in Uganda, Dr. Alex Opio, also announced that all boys and men in Uganda will be mobilised for free circumcision beginning next year, 2009.

It is surely an effective method and World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that implementation of mass circumcision could avert up to 5.7 million HIV infections and three million Aids deaths worldwide by 2026. 

All Rwandan men that are not circumcised should endeavour to go for the cut because it could save a life.

Muhazi