Settlers' Hospital held a Male Medical Circumcision service launch at the Miki Yili Stadium in Joza on Wednesday. Members of the public were also given the opportunity to test for HIV/Aids and diabetes, and have their blood pressure and weight checked, free of charge.
Settlers' Hospital held a Male Medical Circumcision service launch at the Miki Yili Stadium in Joza on Wednesday. Members of the public were also given the opportunity to test for HIV/Aids and diabetes, and have their blood pressure and weight checked, free of charge.
This launch took place on the same day a three-year study on male circumcision tabled its findings at the International Aids Conference, in Rome. The study revealed that the incidence of new cases of HIV among men had been reduced by 76% after a circumcision programme was launched in Orange Farm, Gauteng. Scientists believe that male circumcision reduces the risk of HIV infection for men by 60%.
Speaking at the launch, Eastern Cape provincial traditional circumcision coordinator, Zweliphakamile Dweba, said Male Medical Circumcision was nothing new and was not in conflict with culture. “Male Medical Circumcision does not stop traditional circumcision. This is a global mandate, and we are giving the service for free” he said.
Dweba said there were people who are not fit to go and stay in the bush to get circumcised, and this offered them an option. Dweba also said that while male circumcision was one preventative strategy, men should not stop using condoms.
He said the initiative involved training surgeons, counsellors and nurses to offer an appropriately tailored service. “We also need male personnel for the front desk, in order to make people feel free to go and get the service, to accommodate societal perceptions” he said.
Sister Khanyisa Xotyeni, from Settlers' Hospital, said a ward and a doctor had been identified for the service. She said there were also men who had shown interest in working as counsellors. “People still have to follow the same hospital procedure of getting a folder from the OPD, and people will be tested for blood pressure, diabetes and body temperature before undergoing the process,” she said.
Community nurse, Nothembe Mthetho said she thought Male Medical Circumcision would be effective, because they worked very closely with local traditional surgeons and nurses. “We have traditional surgeons and nurses in our clinics, therefore we know who we are working with. We plan before every circumcision season and do evaluation at the end,” she said.
