A meeting in Johannesburg with a national Aids body and other concerned groups today will put the spotlight on the merits of male circumcision in preventing HIV infection.

The forum will include the South African National Aids Council, traditional leaders and civil society organisations.

They will discuss how male circumcision can be implemented in HIV-Aids prevention and treatment policies.

However, Sanac’s Sue Goldstein excludes “traditional” circumcision done during initiation ritual. With traditional circumcision, the entire foreskin is not removed, said Goldstein warned that circumcised men were not immune to the virus. protection to people in homosexual relationships.

“We would like to help the public by providing empirical and tested information to help make educated choice on health issues, especially around HIV-Aids,” said William Mapham of the Reproductive Health and HIV Research Unit. – Namhla Tshisela