NPR’s Morning Edition on Monday examined how a circumcision program in South Africa’s Kwa-Zulu Natal, run by the Society for Family Health at the Boom Street Community Health Clinic, “is gaining momentum” because of a decree issued last year by King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu about the importance of circumcision in helping to reduce the risk of HIV infection.  

“Four years ago, the World Health Organization determined that medical circumcision reduces a man’s likelihood of contracting HIV by 60 percent. Since then, large-scale circumcision programs have been growing slowly in sub-Saharan Africa – two-thirds of the world’s HIV-positive people live there,” according to the show. Cynthia Nhlapo, a project manager for Society for Family Health, “says getting the support of cultural leaders is proving equally important in other parts of the continent,” NPR notes (Kelto, 6/27).