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Circumcision significant in fighting
HIV/AIDS
THIS is a response to statements by Prof Mathias Sapuri
discouraging circumcision in men as another means of suppressing HIV/AIDS at
this year’s medical symposium.
Ordinarily, medical profession is a broad field and learns from constructive
research but the remarks by Prof Sapuri are superficial, which demands a
response.
Indeed, he lacks ethical and moral sensitivity, thus undermining opinions of
notable consultant surgeons at Wewak GH and Port Moresby GH.
Prof Sapuri aired surgical complications and medical personnel shortfall as
a shield to defend his diatribe. The comments conspicuously reflect the
fashion of a typical gynaecologist and not of a surgeon or a health
management professional.
He must realise that HIV/AIDS had already claimed thousands of lives of
innocent Papua New Guineans and is growing at an alarming rate.
What PNG requires now is strategic plans on how to underpin the epidemic.
Several international medical researchers revealed during the Sydney
International HIV/AIDS forum this year that circumcision reduce chances of
contracting HIV by 60%.
The two specialist surgeons called for circumcision to be recognised as an
alternate in HIV/AIDS prevention and why is the good professor opposing it?
I wonder whether he has done his research properly. The onus must go to the
British embassy for setting a milestone in HIV/AIDS prevention chapter by
funding a pilot project at the Boram Hospital, Wewak.
It must be an eye opener for the National Government, National AIDS Council
Secretariat, donor partners and non-governmental organisations.
I appeal to the chairman of National AIDS Council to formally approve
circumcision as a means to control HIV/AIDS.
Dii Assh Kamiso,
Porgera Valley, WHP |
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