King Faisal hospital in infant circumcision drive

With the intended goal of having all males circumcised as one way of curbing the transmission HIV, King Faisal Hospital (KFH) recently introduced a circumcision drive for newly born baby boys. According to the official in charge of Maternity at the hospital, Consolee Maribori, medical officials from various hospitals countrywide acquired training last year regarding a mass circumcision drive that will begin soon. “After this training we decided to initiate this programme for newborn baby boys at KFH. We take time to advice parents to bring their babies as soon as possible. Circumcising a child between one day and one month of age is the easiest system because the wound heals within 3 or 4 days rather than when he is an adult,” she said. Maribori notes that statistically about 15 boys are circumcised every month at KFH adding that other hospitals such as Kanombe, Muhima and the Kigali Central Teaching hospital (CHUK) must have also started these operations. “The idea of promoting mass male circumcision came up after a scientific survey proved that circumcised males are 60 percent more likely to be protected against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections during sexual intercourse than those who are not,” Maribori added. Recently the Health Minister, Dr. Richard Sezibera, revealed that the circumcision campaign for all males in the country will kick-off this year citing that it had been delayed due to lack of capacity to carry it out countrywide. The 2007-2008 Demographic Health Survey shows that only 15 percent of the men in the country are circumcised. Officials note that most of these are army personnel. Ends

National

King Faisal hospital in infant circumcision drive