International Men's Day opportunity to recognize volunteers for VMMC

Nov 29 2012

Emmanuel Njeuhmeli, senior biomedical prevention adviser in the USAID Office of HIV/AIDS, writes in the agency's "IMPACTblog" that the first International Men's Day on November 19 was an opportunity to "recognize and celebrate the hundreds of thousands of men in East and Southern Africa who are stepping up for Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) to protect their own health and that of their families." He continues, "We also recognize the political, traditional and community leaders who are leading the charge in their countries and local communities." According to Njeuhmeli, who describes some VMMC programs of USAID and PEPFAR, "USAID and UNAIDS have estimated that VMMC has the potential to avert more than 3.4 million new HIV infections in 14 countries in Eastern and Southern Africa, and save an estimated $16.5 billion in care and treatment over the next 15 years, freeing up resources for other crucial HIV interventions" (11/27).