Manto: Circumcision is cultural

2008-03-10 20:24

Polokwane - Circumcision was a cultural practice and should not be used as a preventive measure in the fight against HIV/Aids, said Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang on Monday.

Addressing traditional healers in Polokwane, the minister said the World Health Organisation's view that male circumcision should be used as a prevention measure in the fight against HIV/Aids should be questioned.

The health department said it believed this view was "incorrect and misleading".

It had sought to discuss the matter with traditional leaders to "inform and enlighten all concerned".

Tshabalala-Msimang told traditional leaders and healers that cultural practices should not be used for "purposes other than those for which they (were) meant for at the beginning", said her department in a statement.

Meetings in all provinces

"She also called on all role players to guard against sending confusing messages that would encourage people to get circumcised with the hope of not getting HIV-infected," it said.

The minister again called on traditional leaders to "assert their role" in the fight against HIV/Aids.

Meetings with traditional leaders were being held in all the provinces and would culminate in a national workshop at the end of March where a national position on the World Health Organisation statement would be taken.

- SAPA