Local HIV/Aids researchers and the medical fraternity have dismissed the findings of a new research that questions the effectiveness of male circumcision in curtailing the spread of HIV virus.
A cross section of medical practitioners interviewed yesterday said they would disregard the findings in latest issue of the Journal of Law and Medicine also published in Thomson Reuters Australia, saying the new research appears intended to frustrate efforts to combat HIV/Aids.
Speaking in Kampala on Tuesday, health minister Christine Ondoa described the report as based on rumours. Peer review reports published all over the world have suggested that circumcision can reduce HIV transmission, she said.
Ms Zainab Akol, the head HIV/Aids Control Programme at the Ministry of Health said such publication amounts to treason as it only serves to kill more Ugandans. She dismissed the authenticity of the research, saying highlighting the findings could jeopardise the circumcision programme.
Mr Robert Ochai, the executive director at the The Aids Support Organisation, said they will continue to encourage male circumcision because of its proven positive effects.
Studies have shown that safe circumcision does reduce the risk of an HIV-negative male from contracting the virus from his partner. As a scientifically proven intervention, we encourage HIV-negative males to go for it, said Dr Ochai.
A cross section of medical practitioners interviewed yesterday said they would disregard the findings in latest issue of the Journal of Law and Medicine also published in Thomson Reuters Australia, saying the new research appears intended to frustrate efforts to combat HIV/Aids.
Speaking in Kampala on Tuesday, health minister Christine Ondoa described the report as based on rumours. Peer review reports published all over the world have suggested that circumcision can reduce HIV transmission, she said.
Ms Zainab Akol, the head HIV/Aids Control Programme at the Ministry of Health said such publication amounts to treason as it only serves to kill more Ugandans. She dismissed the authenticity of the research, saying highlighting the findings could jeopardise the circumcision programme.
Mr Robert Ochai, the executive director at the The Aids Support Organisation, said they will continue to encourage male circumcision because of its proven positive effects.
Studies have shown that safe circumcision does reduce the risk of an HIV-negative male from contracting the virus from his partner. As a scientifically proven intervention, we encourage HIV-negative males to go for it, said Dr Ochai.