EWN, 31 August 2014

Scientific evidence has found medical male circumcision could dramatically lower the risk of HIV/AIDS.

CAPE TOWN – The city's Health Department says it's increasing efforts to promote the roll-out of safe adult male circumcision, both medically and traditionally.

Scientific evidence has found medical male circumcision could dramatically lower the risk of HIV/AIDS transmission because the skin that is removed contains more cells to which HIV easily attaches.

Health Mayoral Committee Member Benedicta van Minnen says authorities have also started engaging with traditional circumcision practitioners in an attempt to strike a balance between the importance of the annual initiation season and the safety and well-being of initiates.

"Our clinics are equipped to perform the procedure but to date we've also opened three clinics catering specifically for men, which also offers counselling, condom distribution, testing and treatment for HIV and sexually transmitted infections."

Lauren Isaacs (Edited by Victoria Campbell-Gillies)

Source: EWN