Local clinic offers free male circumcision
During this visit, the bandage will be removed, and the wound will be checked. Seven days after the procedure, patients return to the clinic for a check-up. The stitches will fall out by themselves as the wound continues to heal.
The Right to Care Organisation is offering free male circumcision at the Winnie Mandela Male Health Clinic (WMMHC).
Zanele Tshabalala Ndwandwe, demand creation officer at the clinic, said the organisation has more than 10 years of experience in voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC), working in different districts in South Africa.
“The purpose of this NGO is to help the community with HIV and AIDS prevention and awareness on VMMC which is medical make circumcision in the community,” she said.
Ndwandwe said she is in charge of the social mobilisers, the team that goes around communities recruiting males to get circumcision band do health education, door to door.
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She said Philile Zungu and Moseto Phago are the social mobilisers that she works with in the community.
“Medical male circumcision reduces the chance of getting HIV by 60%.”
The organisation works closely with the national and provincial departments of health to bring quality and safe circumcision services to men of all ages.
Mokho Binase, district coordinator for the VMMC, said many men believe that you have to circumcise in winter, but you can have the procedure any time of the year.
She said circumcision clinics are quieter in the summer, which means that you won’t have to wait too long at the clinic.
“As well as preventing HIV, a medical male circumcision that involves complete removal of the foreskin also helps prevent sexually transmitted infections and transmission of the human papillomavirus (HPV) that causes cancer of the penis in men and cervical cancer in female partners,” said Binase.
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“It is the right thing to do for yourself and your female partner. Getting circumcised will help you and your partner remain healthy while helping the fight against HIV/Aids,” she added.
Binase explained that getting circumcised won’t ruin your summer.
“It is an easy procedure done under a local anaesthetic that takes only 30 minutes. Besides the anaesthetic injection before the procedure, there is very little pain.
“Complete healing takes about six weeks; however, you can resume your normal activities within one to three days after the procedure.”
She said clients are given painkillers to manage any discomfort when the anaesthetic wears off, and they return to the clinic on the second day after circumcision for a follow-up.
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During this visit, the bandage will be removed, and the wound will be checked.
Seven days after the procedure, patients return to the clinic for a check-up. The stitches will fall out by themselves as the wound continues to heal.
“Your healthcare worker will explain how to care for your wound, and it is important to follow these instructions,” said Binase.
“Circumcision has been a core component of South Africa’s HIV prevention strategy since 2010, preventing new HIV infections and saving lives. Right to Care has conducted 1.5 million safe circumcisions since 2012.”
Any male aged 15 and above and in good health, irrespective of HIV status, is eligible for free circumcision in South Africa.
Those under 18 need parental consent. Men should present their ID, birth certificate, or asylum seeker permit to the healthcare worker at the clinic.
Right to Care has a 24-hour circumcision helpline if you have any queries about the procedure or your wound healing process.
Call or send a please call me to 082 808 9152 or 072 410 5892 to find out more and to book your appointment.
Philile Zungu and Moseto Phago can be contacted on 072 727 6491 or 064 878 3174.
