Rolling out male circumcision in Gauteng
Male medical circumcision is now being offered at 22 government hospitals in Gauteng and 10 clinics.
As part of the country’s effort to roll out medical male circumcision in a bid to reduce HIV infection among men, the Gauteng Health Department has set itself a target to circumcise about 125 000 men by end of the year.
To reach its target of circumcising 125 000 men, the Gauteng Health Department has announced that it will increase the number of public health facilities offering medical male circumcision.
Male medical circumcision is now being offered at 22 government hospitals in Gauteng and 10 clinics.
MEC for Health and Social Development Ntombi Mekgwe said this number will increase to a further eight additional clinics.
“These clinics will be Hillbrow, Itireleng, Chiawelo, Lenasia South, Soshanguve 3, Levi Mbatha in Sebokeng, Refilwe and Fochville clinics’.
“The province has decided that all male babies born in the province’ in public health facilities will be circumcised soon after birth.
“This will, obviously, happen with the consent of their mothers because you cannot do it without the parents permission,” she said.
Mekgwe said they will avail information to pregnant mothers who attend ante-natal care services about the advantages of circumcision.
“It starts with a mother because when you empower a woman, you empower the nation,” she said.
