1. MC Programmes in Uniformed Personnel Dr Martin Malama DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE ZAMBIA

2. BACKGROUND The Zambia Police today stands at a strength of 14000 Police officers. Three quarters are malebelow 35 years old. Prevalence of HIV amongst Police Officers is unknown but believed to be generally higher than in the general public ( 14.3 %)

3. IMPACT OF HIV ON THE ZPS Before current intervention strategies were commenced, there were 30 to 50 HIV related deaths of police officers monthly; Ten years later, deaths have drastically reduced to less that 10 per month. However, HIV still continues to affect our deployment patterns and preparedness to meet our core mandate as a Police Service.

4. Prevention Strategies Religiously advocated for the ABC’s. However, in 2008 the National Police Command then comprising 25 men and a lady reviewed the merits and demerits of MC. At the end of the MC meeting all committed National Police Command officers to be circumcised with an exception of the female member who opted to read the Declaration of Commitment as a proxy to being circumcised.

5. MC Today Working in Partnership with SFH, over 200 police officers have been circumcised to date at Police Health Centres - Sikanze Police Hospital, State Lodge Clinic and Mobile Unit Clinic in Kitwe. The MC service is provided once a month on a Saturday, due to HR, consumables and other challenges. The uptake of the service is steadily increasing.

6. Challenges Officers rarely have off days to enable them access the MC service at the central Health Facilities. Most at risk officers are out on operations for longer durations and are away from base for three months. When availed a short break, MC is very rarely a priority.

7. Impact of MC Too early to ascertain the impact of MC on HIV prevalence /incidence in the Police Service. Desire for MC enables officers to know their HIV status as a result. Providing training to health workers and assisting in developing systems that are helpful in other clinical areas. Providing an opportunity for males in the community be aware of other services provided at health centres.

8. Conclusion MC not fully understood and accepted by all ranks. Command despite in principle acknowledging the benefits of MC, there hasn’t been a deliberate policy for health leave for at risk groups. MC service not readily available to officers in the peripheral.