HIV+ men can be circumcised

Men living with HIV are increasingly undergoing male circumcision as it helps reduce the chances of getting re-infected.

This has also been proven to decrease the risk of passing on the human-papilloma virus (HPV) that causes cervical cancer to their partners.

According to Ministry of Health and Child Care ministry statistics, a total of six percent of 209 056 men circumcised in 2014 were HIV positive.

The ministry's Director for HIV and TB unit, Dr Owen Mugurungi confirmed the development.

"VMMC is primarily being implemented as an HIV prevention initiative in Zimbabwe and is therefore largely offered to HIV negative men.

"However, as a ministry, we will not turn away any males who request to be circumcised, including those with unknown HIV status or those who are HIV positive as long as they are suitable to undergo surgery," said Dr Mugurungi.

"Regarding the health benefits, the HIV positive circumcised man can still enjoy improved hygiene after removal of the foreskin, reduced risk of passing on the virus that causes cervical cancer to their sexual partner."

Dr Mugurungi also added that chances of being re-infected with HIV are also reduced by over 60 percent when an HIV positive man gets circumcised.

"However, it's expected that all men should always have protected sex (through condom use) as this further lessens the chances of infection or re-infection," he added.

According to the Male Circumcision Policy, 'HIV positive men shall not be denied circumcision, but where medically indicated, male circumcision shall be provided to all men irrespective of their HIV status as and when it is medically safe to do so in the best interest of the client.'

The World Health Organisation's recommendations on VMMC state that circumcision of HIV positive individuals is generally not encouraged.

"As a country, we still go by the WHO recommendation and are not routinely circumcising HIV positive men.

"However, where an individual insists that he needs to be circumcised, further counselling and assessments are done to ensure that the individual is suitable to undergo the operation and will heal within the expected time," added Dr Mugurungi.

"In this regard, precaution is necessary as individuals with weakened immunity may develop other complications which they would not have had if they were HIV negative."