Ministry of Health and Partners in Zambia Launch the National Male Circumcision Strategy and Implementation Plan 2010-2020
Lusaka, 30 July 2009 -- The Ministry of Health and partners today launched the National programme on male circumcision and the National Male Circumcision Strategy and Implementation Plan 2010 - 2020 at a ceremony which was officiated by the Deputy Minister of Health Hon. Mwendoi Akakandelwa. The national strategy and implementation plan on male circumcision is intended to make available and accessible on a voluntary basis high quality safe male circumcision services to all uninfected men and boys aged between 13-39 years in order to achieve the targeted national male circumcision prevalence of 50% by 2020. HIV prevalence in Zambia is 14.3% and only an estimated 17% of men are circumcised. The national strategy is specifically aimed at increasing the number of health facilities providing safe male circumcision services through a well defined package, increasing the skills and quality of service providers and increasing informed demand for the service through health promotion interventions.