WHO approves male cut device

THE World Health Organisation has approved the use of male circumcision devices to supplement the shortage of personnel. The body, however, restricts its use to countries which were doing research on the use of the device until active surveillance has been done. WHO technical advisory group on innovation of male circumcision said it has approved the use of the elastic ring device in Rwanda subject to approval by the national programme among men aged 18-years and above.

The elastic ring device causes necrosis of the foreskin over one week through controlled radial compression. “Active surveillance of the first 1,000 clients to identify and record all adverse events and side-effects based on standardized definitions," says the advisory group. The team rejected the use of another device in the same country pending a series of more studies.

In March 2007, WHO and UNAIDS recommended male circumcision as an efficacious intervention for the prevention of heterosexually acquired HIV infection in men but the scale up have been low due to higher demand for male circumcision. “Specifically, the number of physicians and surgeons available to perform the procedure is low, and the time and equipment required for the currently recommended standard surgical methods are substantial, “said the advisory group.

Kenya is researching on the use of Shang ring in Homa Bay day district, while Rwanda is researching two other devices. Many researches are ongoing to identify innovative methods that are simpler, less resource-intensive, and usable by non-physician providers, acceptable to clients and providers, and as safe as standard surgical male circumcision.