With support from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Proud-Z project, the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) – Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) program partnered with the Lusaka Province Health Office (LPHO) to host a soccer gala in Chirundu. 

The event aimed at increasing awareness of VMMC services for the ShangRing and surgical methods among the key age groups (15-29 years). The theme for the gala was “A man who cares, gets Circumcised and Vaccinated to prevent HIV and Covid-19”.

A total of sixty-seven (67) males were circumcised during the soccer gala, out of those who benefited from this health hygiene activity, 10 were circumcised using the Shang Ring method which enables one to quickly return to their normal routine duties without any serious interruptions.

The soccer gala attracted four teams namely Red Cross FC, Chirundu Council FC, Chirundu Sunflower FC, and Welcome FC out of which two teams emerged as winners walking away with a new soccer jersey Kit and a Soccer ball each.

The two winners were Chirundu Council FC and Welcome FC and the two runners-up walked away with a new Soccer ball each. The event was graced by Chirundu District Commissioner Mr. Patrick Kasambila who commended CIDRZ for the initiative as it attracted a lot of young people and kept them away from dangerous vices such as alcohol and drug abuse which had become a norm in the district.  He further urged other partners to emulate CIDRZ and Lusaka Provincial Health Office to achieve the UNAIDS target of ending AIDS by 2030.

Others in attendance were the Chirundu Council Chairperson Mr. Nevers Muchindu, area councilor for Chirundu west Mr. Lucky Hakoma the councilor for Musungu ward. Chirundu  District Health Director was presented by the Clinical Care Officer Ms. Felidah Zulu respectively.