By Lucas Ngâasike
National Aids and STI Control Programme (Nascop) is using monetary incentives to entice more men in Turkana County to undergo circumcision.
Nascop, together with Nyanza Health Reproductive Society (NHRS), changed strategy after the number of people getting circumcised dwindled.
The approach is aimed at encouraging men to go for Voluntarily Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) in local health facilities.
Dr Nicholas Muraguri, the Director of Nascop, said the incentive will ensure VMMC succeeds.
"We really want this programme to succeed. That is why we are giving locals, who visit health facilities for the cut, incentives," Muraguri said.
He said the rates of HIV infection in the area were alarming.
Muraguri noted that VMMC approach could reduce HIV infection rates by up to 60 per cent.
Through the programme, anyone taking a person to the facility for the cut will be given Sh100.
"This approach will help us to achieve our targets. The more you bring clients to the health facility for the cut, the more money you get," Muraguri told a sensitisation forum in Lodwar.
He said cultural aspects had challenged the VMMC project in Turkana since men do not get circumcised.
"We are educating the community the health benefits of male cut in the prevention of HIV to encourage men to get circumcised," said Muraguri..
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