Staff mobilised for circumcision campaign

By PETER ATSIAYA

The Government will recall medical officers on leave in November and December to support the re-launched male circumcision campaign in Nyanza Province.

Provincial Director of Public Health and Sanitation Jackson Kioko said doctors, nurses, clinical officers, and subordinate staff would be recalled for the exercise to be launched on November 9 and run until December 20.

"The programme under Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) targets 30, 000 people and more. We need support from all health workers to achieve this goal," Dr Kioko said in Kisumu, yesterday.

He said they wanted to use the festive period to reach out to the youth to undergo circumcision.

Kioko said female nurses would be allowed to perform circumcision despite the reservations of the Luo Council of Elders.

The elders had opposed female health workers engagement in circumcision as it was against tradition.

But local leaders led by Education Assistant Minister Ayiecho Olweny dismissed the elders saying they should stop living in the past.

Prof Olweny argued that tradition had contributed to the high rate of HIV and Aids and Government efforts to curb the spread should be supported.

Kioko said the exercise was voluntary.

He noted that the Government had trained staff, including health care providers.

 

 

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