HARARE: The Zimbabwe government is inviting adult males to undertake the initial circumcision trial run for a new device call PrePex, that said can reduce the risk of contracting HIV in men by 50 percent.

PrePex is a nonsurgical device that does not require anesthesia injection, does not result in any bleeding and has low pain, Zimbabwean news agency (New Ziana) reported.

In a joint statement, the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare and the Zimbabwe Community Health Intervention Research Project (Zichire) said they are looking for men aged 18 years and above, who are willing to participate in this study.

Candidates should be willing to test for HIV and be able to go for repeated post procedure visits for two months, they added.

The circumcision process will take place at Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) Spilhaus Male Circumcision clinic adjacent to the Harare Hospital.

The national circumcision policy was launched three years ago in Zimbabwe.

The FDA approved PrePex just a few weeks ago. It was invented in 2009 by four Israelis, one a urologist who heard the plea for surgeons in Africa. Out of all similar devices, PrePex is so far the quickest, least bloody and least painful,said World Health Organisation.

Zimbabwe launched a massive circumcision campaign in 2009 targeting at least 1.2 million men by 2015 in a bid to stem the rise in new HIV infections across the country.

The government has targeted to circumcise 120,000 males by year end.

Male circumcision is the removal of the foreskin covering the head of the male organ.


- Bernama