Durban, South Africa: USAID staff joined provincial health officials and the King of the Zulus Goodwill Zwelithini to celebrate 1 million victories against HIV in Kwazulu Natal, South Africa. During the multi-faceted event, South African singer and actor Melusi Yeni became the 1 millionth man to undergo Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision under a national HIV prevention program supported by USAID and PEPFAR, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. Providing medical circumcisions is part of a comprehensive USAID approach to HIV prevention and treatment.

The MEC for Health Dr. Sibongiseni Dhlomo performed the circumcision at Sivananda Clinic. Afterward, in speaking to the news media, his patient said, “We’ve achieved 1 million; let’s make it 2 million.”

USAID and PEPFAR work with members of the royal family and other traditional leaders to overcome cultural resistance to medical circumcision. Prince Nhlanganiso Zulu is an enthusiastic spokesman on behalf of the circumcision campaign.

Reaching 1 million male circumcisions is a milestone for Kwazulu Natal, the province with the highest prevalence of HIV infection in South Africa.  Since 2010, over 3 million men have been circumcised nationwide under the USAID program.

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