Tanzanian universities to teach courses in treating FGM

Universities in Tanzania have announced plans to offer courses on treating female genital mutilation (FGM). 

The course aims to give doctors and social psychologists the skills and knowledge of how to fight the barbaric practice, according to a report on dw.com. 

Universities that will teach the course this academic year include the University of Dodoma (Udom), Muhimbili University of Health and Applied Sciences (MUHAS) and the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC).

The only other African country offering such courses is Ghana. 

Idrissa Kikula, the vice chancellor at Udom, commented: "We did not have university curricula that contained special courses on FGM even though it affects many people. I think it is high time to bridge that gap.”

The professor explained that despite the fact that most FGM victims experience physical and emotional distress they do not always manage to get medical attention due to a severe lack of expertise in this area.