The New Start Clinic in Tsakane now provides free MMC at its clinic in Tsakane.
According to the clinic’s site manager, Millicent Mkansi, every circumcision is carried out by an experienced medical practitioner.
And in addition, men who want to undergo circumcision are given a medical check-up beforehand to ensure that they are fit for the procedure.
“The clinic offers MMC within a broader HIV prevention programme, as circumcision has been shown in several studies to reduce the risk of acquiring HIV by about 60% among men who undergo the procedure.
“The procedure also reduces the risk of other sexually transmitted diseases and promotes hygiene.
“It is purely a health service and does not include the cultural activities that are part of traditional circumcision,” says Mkansi.
She adds that at their clinic, the whole process is completed within a few hours, saying an appointment must first be made.
“From there we will either fetch you from an agreed location or you can come directly to our facility on the day of the appointment.
“We first see that you have full information about MMC and then offer HIV counselling and testing, and do a general health check to ensure that you are fit for the procedure.
“Circumcision is performed under a local anaesthetic and the person doesn’t feel any pain even though he is awake – and it takes less than half an hour,” explains Mkansi.
She goes on to say that after undergoing MMC at their clinic, men are able to go back to school or work the next day after the procedure.
But, they must not have sex for six weeks after the operation and must come back to the clinic for scheduled check-ups.
“Our after-care service is really important because, in rare cases where a bit of infection occurs, we can detect this really early and provide proper medicine to stop it as we pride ourselves on offering a safe service that involves very little pain.
“Although the public believes that winter is the best time for circumcision, the procedure can be done equally successfully at any time.
“As with any medical procedure, it’s up to each client to clean their wound regularly once they have left the clinic so that it heals completely,” concludes Mkansi.
For more information about New Start Tsakane or to make an appointment, call 083 228 7232 or 011 738 5814.
