The health NGO Right to Care is implementing SA’s largest voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) programme as part of SA’s HIV prevention strategy.
It encourages men to get circumcised this winter to protect themselves and their partners from HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Circumcision helps reduce the sexual transmission of HIV by as much as 60%. HIV remains a challenge in SA despite gains made by addressing the epidemic.
Dr Khumbulani Moyo, the head of the VMMC programme at Right to Care, explains why they encourage men to get circumcised.
“Winter is SA’s peak circumcision season, and our experienced teams at health facilities in various provinces are ready to offer men free and safe circumcisions. June is also Men’s Health Month, so it is an opportune time to circumcise,” said Moyo.
He said a medical circumcision is often a man’s first encounter with the public health system, and Right to Care’s teams have experience in offering confidential services in a safe environment.
“The procedure is simple, and the healing process is fast. Men can resume normal activities within one to three days after the procedure, and it takes only six weeks for the wound to heal fully,” said Moyo.
The Centers for Disease Control, through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Pepfar) South Africa, fund Right to Care.
On behalf of the Department of Health, it provides circumcisions in 350 health facilities across 27 districts in eight provinces.
“Circumcision is an important part of a man’s overall physical health. Before circumcision, we support men with comprehensive health screenings and refer them to other professionals if necessary.
The health screening includes HIV testing and screening for STIs, TB, blood pressure and diabetes.
“We also facilitate individual and group counselling. As part of our commitment to comprehensive HIV prevention, we refer men at a high risk of HIV infection to be initiated onto PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis),” explained Moyo.
He said the Human Sciences Research Council survey found that nearly 50% of SA men aged 15 and 24 are medically circumcised.
“We also appeal to older men to circumcise. You can circumcise at any age and reduce your risk of becoming infected with HIV. Circumcision also assists in preventing the transmission of the human papillomavirus virus (HPV), the leading cause of cervical cancer in women,” said Moyo.
He explained that medical circumcision is done under local anaesthetic and takes only 30 minutes. Besides the anaesthetic injection before the procedure, there is very little pain.
“Your healthcare worker will tell you everything you need to know, including how to care for your wound.
Many men worry about the effect a circumcision may have on their sex life. However, when performed in a medical facility and under sterile conditions, circumcision has no adverse effects on sexual function or pleasure.
It is only during the six-week healing process that you should not have sex or masturbate,” Moyo explains.
Right to Care’s circumcision districts include:
• Gauteng – Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni and Sedibeng.
• Free State – Lejweleputswa and Thabo Mofutsanyane.
• Eastern Cape – Alfred Nzo, Amathole, Buffalo City, Chris Hani and Oliver Tambo.
• KwaZulu-Natal – eThekwini, Harry Gwala, King Cetshwayo, Ugu, Umgungundlovu, Uthukela and Zululand.
• Mpumalanga – Ehlanzeni, Nkangala and Gert Sibande.
• Limpopo – Capricorn and Mopani.
• North West – Bojanala Platinum, Dr Kenneth Kaunda and Ngaka Modiri Molema.
• Western Cape – Cape Town.
To find out more about free medical circumcision or to make an appointment, call or send a ‘please call me‘ to the Right to Care circumcision call centre on 082 808 6152. You can also find Right to Care on Facebook.
