It has been shown that heterosexual men are significantly less likely to spread HIV when they are circumcised. Rwanda hopes to circumcise 2 million men across the spectrum of ages using a new device that promises to be cheaper, safer and easier than alternatives.

Unfortunately, the BBC makes you wait until the very end of its wince-inducing report to find out whether the procedure is painful. Apparently, it isn’t. Judging by the reaction of the men in the video, the most painful part of the procedure may be when the nurse measures her patient to determine what size to use.

The device itself is simple-looking. It is made of two separate rings, one of which has a kind of elastic band around it. Together they close off blood flow to the foreskin, which, a week later, is ready to be cut off with a pair of scissors.

You’ll have to head over to the BBC to see for yourself. — PZS

 Wait, before you go…

If you're reading this, you probably already know that non-profit, independent journalism is under threat worldwide. Independent news sites are overshadowed by larger heavily funded mainstream media that inundate us with hype and noise that barely scratch the surface.  We believe that our readers deserve to know the full story. Truthdig writers bravely dig beneath the headlines to give you thought-provoking, investigative reporting and analysis that tells you what’s really happening and who’s rolling up their sleeves to do something about it.

Like you, we believe a well-informed public that doesn’t have blind faith in the status quo can help change the world. Your contribution of as little as $5 monthly or $35 annually will make you a groundbreaking member and lays the foundation of our work.

Support Truthdig
In this Article:
#africa#aids#circumcision#health#hiv#medicine#rwanda#video