The health NGO, Right to Care, is implementing South Africa’s largest voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) programme as part of the country’s HIV prevention strategy.
It encourages men to get circumcised to protect themselves and their partners against HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Circumcision helps reduce the sexual transmission of HIV by as much as 60%, but it remains a challenge in the country despite gains made in addressing the epidemic.
Dr Khumbulani Moyo, the head of the VMMC Programme at Right to Care, explains, “Winter is South Africa’s peak circumcision season and our experienced teams at health facilities in Gauteng, the Free State, Eastern and Western Cape, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West and KwaZulu-Natal, are ready to offer men free, safe circumcisions. June is also Men’s Health Month, so it is an opportune time to get circumcised.”
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Moyo said medical circumcision is often a man’s first encounter with the public health system and the Right to Care’s teams are experienced in offering confidential services in a safe environment.
The procedure is simple and the healing process is fast. Normal activities can be resumed within one to three days after the procedure and it takes only six weeks for the wound to heal completely.
“Circumcision is an important part of a man’s overall physical health. Before the procedure, we support men with comprehensive health screenings and refer them to other professionals if necessary. The health screening includes testing for HIV and screening for STIs, TB, blood pressure and diabetes. We also appeal to older men to get circumcised. You can do so at any age and reduce your risk of becoming infected with HIV. Circumcision also assists in preventing the transmission of the human papillomavirus virus.
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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 take care of your wound,” said Moyo.
Many men worry about the effect that circumcision may have on their sex lives, but when performed in a medical facility and under sterile conditions, it has no adverse effects on sexual function or pleasure.
