Limpopo sees 7 000 circumcised in HIV prevention drive
Over 7 000 have undergone safe medical circumcision since June, boosting HIV prevention efforts across the Limpopo province.
LIMPOPO – The MEC for Health, Dieketseng Mashego, has expressed satisfaction with the ongoing progress of the Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) programme, which continues to demonstrate strong uptake across various districts.
Since the MEC launched the programme on Friday, June 20, to date, over 7 000 males have undergone safe medical circumcision through the programme, reflecting encouraging momentum in the province’s efforts to strengthen HIV prevention and promote men’s health.
Notably, more than 700 of those circumcised are aged 15 years and above, signalling increased participation from adolescents and young adults. District-level data shows that Vhembe continues to lead with 1 608 procedures conducted, followed closely by Waterberg with 1 220.
Read more: Limpopo Health launches male circumcision drive to fight HIV
Mopani and Sekhukhune follow with just above a thousand while Capricorn is just below 1 000. Institutionally, the top three performing sites are Dilokong District Hospital in Sekhukhune, Tshilidzini Regional Hospital in Vhembe as well as Thabaleshoba Community Health Centre in Waterburg.
The MEC commended the commitment of healthcare workers and community mobilisers who are driving awareness and access to VMMC services in these regions.
Over a hundred sites are open across the province, and interested members of the public are still encouraged to register.
“We are pleased with the progress made so far. The number of men coming forward for circumcision demonstrates growing awareness and acceptance of the health benefits associated with this important programme. We urge parents, guardians, and male adults who wish to take part in the programme to enquire and register at the facility closest to them,” said Mashego.
The department reiterates that the VMMC programme is voluntary, safe, and free of charge, and all procedures are performed by trained medical professionals in line with national health guidelines.
The programme is open to males aged 10 years and older, and ongoing community outreach efforts aim to ensure that even more eligible individuals can access these essential services.
For more information, members of the public are encouraged to enquire at their nearest clinic or facility.
