06/03/2022
The public comments đź‘€
This Father’s Day we celebrate 23-year-old Last, an artisanal miner, or “mukorokoza,” for making the healthy choice to get circumcised.
“I used to shun the Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision program, until I realized I needed it. I was having unprotected s*x with several s*x workers. When I make money out here, away from home, I get s*xual pleasure from the s*x workers who come to where I will be panning for gold. In my line of work, I hardly have condoms on me when the ladies come to offer their services. Having indulged a lot of times not using protection, and being aware of the risks involved, that was my motivation to get circumcised.”
Operating in the Ngezi area, Last, is one of many “makorokoza” whose HIV risk profile is high, as he spends long periods away from his partner laboring for survival. When he makes money from the gold, he gets s*xual services from the s*x workers.
“I was very happy with the quality of service I got, from the transportation and the health education from the nurse provider. The nurse informed me to continue to further reduce my risk of HIV infection by using condoms and not rely on the circumcision alone. I am now a proud champion and advocate for the circumcision program among my peers,” says Last.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through funds from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is working with the ZAZIC consortium promoting voluntary medical male circumcision for eligible males aged 15 and above. Targeting the artisanal miners has yielded positive results in Chegutu, Kadoma, Mberengwa, Gokwe, Hurungwe, Matobo and Mhondoro as services are being provided right where the artisanal miners are! is safe, accessible, and effective!
