How VMMC is addressing ‘misbeliefs’ in region
SHINYANGA: TALK of Shinyanga Region in Tanzania, people will automatically know that you are talking about the home of Wasukuma and in bid to conserve and preserve its green natural attractions it is practicing Ngitili. Ngitili which in the Wasukuma dialect, means lush green or green grass has made vegetation in villages to be attractive to visitors.
Behold, the area is now also home to Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC), unlike in the past when the majority of its people embraced wrong beliefs over the matter.
When it was initially introduced, some rumoured that it would lead to erectile dysfunction, only to be realized that it was a hearsay.
Others rumoured that proponents of the programme were duping men by collecting the cut foreskin for superstitious uses in mining to survey and allocate minerals, where they are hidden underground.
All sorts of unfounded theories and allegations were spread about the VMMC, only for them to realise with time that the procedure slightly lowers risk of penile cancer. It can also prevent foreskin infections and phimosis, a condition where the foreskin cannot be pulled back.
To fight the retrogressive ideas, the government and stakeholders, including Afya Plus and Tanzania Health promotion Support (THPS) pitched intensive public education programmes through various health-related projects, which culminated in the VMMC being implemented in the region.
Among them is a-five-year (2021-2926) ‘Afya Hatua’ that is funded by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), through the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Here, it also supports by offering medical equipment and capacity building training to public health practitioners, so as to have enough VMMC experts at the grassroots.
Commenting on this, VMMC Expert for Afya Plus, Dr Challo Charido, during the just ended ‘Afya Code’ alias ‘My Health, My Right’ campaign that was organized by Shinyanga Regional Office from 24th to 27th last week said: “People are now aware as you can see a good number of them showing up for the service.”
The campaign mostly aims at championing the right of everyone and everywhere to have access to quality health services. “So far, at least 104 men have gone for the service within the week,” said Dr Charido, adding that the World Health Organization (WHO) findings indicate that VMMC prevents HIV transmissions by 55 and 60 percent.
In his elaboration, he called upon Shinyanga residents to continue showing up for the VMMC service that is offered at various health centers, as well as through the out-reach programmes.
According to him, after every circumcision the wound recovery takes only seven days, and what matters is a client adhering to medical conditions, such as avoidance of heavy labour work like farming.
He added: “Sex abstinence is also a condition. Otherwise, the wound would remain and internally it will expose itself to some communicable diseases.
“Two days after circumcision, the client should come for the first follow-up. We uncover the wound and direct how to clean it. Then one is allowed to engage in light duties.”
It is much easier for uncircumcised man to acquire a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-a virus that attacks the body’s immune system, because the foreskin is so delicate and becomes vulnerable to bruises during sexual acts.
Equally, uncircumcised person can also acquire penile cancer and urologic diseases, said the expert, adding that such a person can also transmit Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) to his partner during the sex, which (virus) leads into cervical cancer.
In the course, THPS also offered cervical cancer screening, with its expert including Dr Theobald Njogo, also praising the power of public education to have mobilized the women to go for the service.
He urged his clients to embrace frequent health checkup culture, because it will reveal the clandestine existence of cervical cancer initial stages instead of waiting for 10 to 15 years, when signs and symptoms start appearing.
HPV is initially accommodated in the cervix where it highly affects the available cells, while also getting (virus) multiplying. If it remains uncontrolled, the virus extends to advanced stages (three and four), then moves out of the cervix to the external virginal, ready for spread to other parts of the body.
When it reaches the lungs, the patient experiences mostly hard breathing and when it reaches the brain, it leads to unconsciousness and dizziness.
“It can also affect the kidney, with the patient also experiencing infertility because the birth canal becomes tight, allowing no newborn to pass through,” said Dr Njogo.
However, the expert encourages the public not to despair, because the government is intervening by moblising HPV vaccination campaign to young girls aged 9 to 14 old.
He at the same time advised all sexually active females to avoid having multiple sexual partners and instead consult medical practitioners, whenever they experience any minor bleeding after sex.
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“Re-bleeding to women during menopause is also a sign of cervical cancer, as well as sharp pain during sex acts,” said the expert, revealing that the problem is manageable once diagnosed at early stages.
It was further noted that between October 2023 to June 2024, a total of 21,759 females were screened for cervical cancer through the Afya Hatua programme.
Additionally, the project provides health services specifically for young people living with HIV, serving about 4,027 clients by June, this year, while encouraging adherence to antiretroviral treatment (ARTs) at various healthcare facilities THPS works with.
On his part, Shinyang Regional Medical Officer (RMO), Dr Yudas Ndungile, commended the partners who in various approaches support the government to fight HIV transmissions.
In his explanation, he encourages, among others, an increase in HIV care and Treatment Clinics (CTCs), saying that so far about 92 are well equipped facilities in various parts of Shinyanga.
He added: “Worth still, the available ARVs are much more effective, unlike in the past when some doses caused side effects, be it weight loss, skin dryness and unhealthy hair, among others.
“Trained community health workers remain at house-to-house visits, monitoring the ARVs adherence status and encouraging more people to have HIV tests so as to be aware of their health status. We are very sure that the on-going HIV fight efforts will take down the transmission rate in our region, from the current five percent.”
