Male Medical circumcisions on the rise in Gauteng
15 Jul 2013
More than 90 000 males underwent male medical circumcision in Gauteng public health facilities during the 2012/13 financial year. These 94 151 circumcision were conducted in 64 sites (41 clinics and 2 hospitals) across the province.
Male Medical circumcision is the full removal of the penis foreskin, fully exposing the head of the penis. Medical Male Circumcision is performed at a Medical facility by a qualified medical professional.
In the Johannesburg Region, the service is currently available in 11 clinics/Community Health Centres (Alex; Chiawelo; Zola; Orange Farm; Discoverers; Hillbrow; Diepkloof; Lister Building; Itereleng, Lenasia and Renosterpruit) and five hospitals (Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic; Edenvale; Helen Joseph; South Rand and Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic).
In Ekurhuleni, the service is available in four clinics/community health centres (Nokuthula Ngwenya; Winnie Mandela; Tsakane and AMCARE) and six hospitals (Far East Rand; Bertha Gxowa; Tambo Memorial; Natalspruit; Pholosong and Tembisa).
Sixteen clinics/community health centres (KT Motubatse; Eersterus; Kekana Gardens; Kameelsdrift; Dark City; Zithobeni; Adelaide Tambo; Garankuwa View; Kgabo; Laudium; Pedisong; Suurman; Refentse; Bophelong; Oliven and Soshanguve) and six clinics/community health centres (Mamelodi; Pretoria West; Tshwane District; Kalafong; Jubilee and Odi) offer the service in Tshwane.
In Sedibeng, four clinics/community health centres (Johan Heyns; Levai Mbatha; Meyerton and Sharpville) and three hospitals (Heidelberg; Kopanong and Sebokeng) offer the service. West Rand has six clinics/community health centres (Mogale; Thusong; Thusanang; Bekkersdal West; Yarona and Eric Ndeleni) and three hospitals (Leratong; Yusuf Dadoo and Carltonville) offer the service.
Gauteng has seen an increased demand for male medical circumcision since the launch of the HIV Counselling and Testing campaign in 2010. All 64 MMC sites provide patients with safe, clean and hygienic procedures. Upon arrival, one receives counselling to understand the procedure and in benefits.
One can also undergo voluntary counselling and testing for HIV, before undergoing circumcision. You will also be examined for sexually transmitted infections and foreskin abnormalities.
The procedure is performed by a healthcare provider who is trained to perform circumcision. It is done under local anaesthetic, so besides a small injection, there is no pain and it takes only about 30 minutes.
The wound is then stitched and dressed, and you are given painkillers to help manage any mild pain or discomfort you may have when the anaesthetic wears off. You are also given instructions on how to keep the wound clean while it heals, as well as a medical certificate should you require time off from work or studies while you recover. The healing process takes six weeks.
While circumcision has been shown to reduce the transmission of HIV transmission to men, it is still important for men to take precautions. Condoms should continue to be used even after circumcision. These are freely available at all public health facilities and other public centres.
Gauteng Health MEC, Mr Hope Papo said, "Knowing your HIV status and that of your partner, abstaining from unprotected sex, faithfulness to one partner remain important methods of stopping the spread of this disease."
Statement issued by Simon Zwane, Gauteng Health, July 15 2013
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