Youths and men in Nsanje district have been encouraged by the district of health and social services Gilbert Chapweteka to go for voluntarily medical male circumcision (VMMC) Family Health Services is implementing in the district.

VMMC is one of the ways to help reduce the further spread of new HIV infections in the district. Chapweteka was saying this after a District Executive Committee members meeting.

“Adolescent boys aged from 15 and above are risk of contracting the new HIV infections, but this could be reduced if they access circumcision,” said Chapweteka.

“Boys and men aged between 15 and 45 should have access to circumcision.

Francis Shaba Family Health Services learning and evaluation, said they are targeting 9 280 youths and men from February to September this year.

Shaba said they will involve experts to offer high quality biomedical interventions to help avert HIV infections in the district.

Road shows and football matches will be used to mobilise young people and men for the circumcision sessions.

“I was looking forward to the exercise” said Elias Tembo from Mwanavumbe Village in Senior Chief Mlolo.

Tembo said he was looking forward to the exercise because, young people, they have the responsibility to prevent the spread of HIV a virus that cause Aids.

According to Family Health Services data, 38 056 males accessed circumcision offered by Jhpiego Malawi.

Targets for Family Health Services is to reach 67 937 youths and men from 2024 to 2029.

Dubbed Kuteteza project will carry out in 10 districts, but the first phase will cover Nsanje, Chikwawa, Blantyre, Mulanje and Phalombe.

The organization said it will spend K1.1 billion from the United States Agency for International Development in Nsanje.