Taking care of men’s health at Witkoppen Clinic
FOURWAYS – In support of men's health and to fight HIV infection, the Mvuselelo Male-Friendly Clinic is launched at Witkoppen Health and Welfare Centre.
The first male-friendly clinic in Region A has been launched in the Fourways area in a bid to help fight HIV infections.
The clinic can be found at the Witkoppen Clinic off William Nicol Drive in Fourways. Sponsored by Pepfar (the US President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief), the JSI Research and Training Institute and the clinic itself, it is hoped that the new centre can reduce HIV infections among adolescent girls and young women in the country, where one in four of this demographic will become infected.
“In fighting HIV in girls and women, we can’t forget about the men’s role,” said Ashley Walbrugh, chief operating officer for Witkoppen Clinic in his address to guests from a number of organisations, including sponsors, the press and representatives from the Department of Health on 17 November.
“Males are generally not interested in going to a clinic [for medical assistance], and so Witkoppen has taken up the challenge to change this.
“This clinic is not just a place to test for HIV, but also a place where men can link to care [for HIV or other illnesses].”
Mvuselelo seeks to encourage men’s access to healthcare, and as such will only be operated by male staff members (including a professional nurse and a counsellor for HIV testing) five days a week. Patients there can be tested and treated for chronic diseases such as HIV, but can also be treated for acute conditions and be referred to specialists like psychologists and urologists should they need it.
Local ward councillors Candice James and David Foley were present at the launch. “It’s wonderful to see that men are being put first for a change,” James told the Fourways Review.
“Society tends to focus on women and children – which are important of course – but I’m so glad we are caring for men as well.”
Also present for the launch was the Diepsloot Men’s Ambassadors, an organisation which helps men with their problems and also tries to end gender-based violence in the community through school talks and offering support to community members. “We were invited to the launch ceremony,” explained Leonard Moeng, the organisation’s secretary.
The Mvuselelo Male-Friendly Clinic can be found within the Witkoppen Health and Welfare Centre on William Nicol Drive and is open Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 4pm.
Do you think enough is done to encourage men to access healthcare? Share your views with us by emailing fourwaysr@caxton.co.za
