Rwanda’s national male circumcision program aims to circumcise half the country’s male population by June 2013 in order to reduce HIV transmission, PlusNews reports. The program, which began in 2011, offers free circumcisions at all district hospitals. Research indicates that male circumcision decreases transmission risks from vaginal intercourse by 60 percent. Because of Rwanda’s lack of trained medical personnel—the country has only two doctors per 100,000 people—it’s unlikely that the goal can be met unless personnel are adequately trained. Despite promotion of the program, many Rwandan men are either unaware of the program or are unwilling to participate in it.

To read the PlusNews article, click here.