A nominated female MP in Tanzania has called for the introduction of scanners in Parliament entry points to determine if male legislators are circumcised as a measure of curbing new HIV infections. Nominated MP Jackiline Ngonyani said the foreskin in men was a major challenge in the fight against new HIV infections.

Addressing Parliament on the HIV scourge in Tanzania, Ngonyani said the country could not attain 90% eradication rate of new HIV infections if male MPs could not lead by example, first by going for tests and reducing infection rates through circumcision. Health experts found out that circumcision reduces chances of HIV infections by 60%.

She alleged that Kenyan Parliament had led the way in in ensuring all male are uncircumcised had undergone the cut and Tanzania should follow suit, reports the tuko.co.ke.

According to Ngonyani the foreskin did not only increase chances of HIV infections but was also exposing women to reproductive system cancers brought about by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infections. She said men feared undergoing HIV tests and only relied on their spouses' results a trend which was undermining the war against the scourge. Her sentiments were echoed by Mtwara Vijijini MP Hawa Ghasia and Joseph Selasini of Rombo constituency. Geita MP Joseph Kasheku also supported the proposal but sensationally stated that women who had undergone Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) contributed to increased infections.