adminThis came after three other councillors were also circumcised at the same clinic on Monday, a move meant to motivate all male residents of the city to undergo circumcision.
The move to undergo circumcision by the city fathers came amid revelations that many people were shunning the clinic, which was opened about two months ago.
Research by experts says male circumcision reduces HIV infection by about 60 percent.
In an interview soon after undergoing circumcision, Clr Demo said the city fathers decided to publicly go for circumcision at the clinic as a way of encouraging city residents to also embrace circumcision.
“We are having information that the circumcision clinic which was recently opened has not been attracting many people in the city and as city fathers, we decided to lead by example and be circumcised as we collectively seek to reduce HIV and Aids transmission,” he said.
Clr Demo urged city men to embrace the move and go for circumcision at the clinic.
“We urge all men in Gweru and its environs to take part in fighting this pandemic and go for circumcision,” he said
The superintendent of Gweru Provincial Hospital, Dr Fabian Mashingaidze, who is one of the doctors conducting the circumcision at the clinic confirmed the low numbers of men who were coming for circumcision. “We established the clinic recently and so far we have been recording very low numbers of men volunteering to come and be circumcised,” he said.
Dr Mashingaidze said he hoped the move by Gweru Deputy Mayor and his team to publicly undergo circumcision will result in many people visiting the clinic.
In a similar move, about 40 Members of Parliament were circumcised recently under the Zimbabwe Parliamentarians Against HIV and Aids programme.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter