As the winter circumcision season gets underway, the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) is calling on parents, guardians and eligible males to make use of free voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) services offered at public healthcare facilities throughout the province.

GDoH spokesperson Steve Mabona said the winter months traditionally see an increase in demand for circumcision services, with many families choosing the school holidays as a convenient time for boys to undergo the procedure.

He added that voluntary medical male circumcision is a safe surgical procedure performed by trained healthcare professionals in accredited health facilities.

“Voluntary medical male circumcision forms part of South Africa’s comprehensive HIV prevention strategy and contributes to improved health outcomes for boys and men,” said Mabona.

According to Mabona, studies have shown that VMMC can reduce the risk of heterosexually acquired HIV infection in men by about 60%.

He said the procedure also offers several additional health benefits.

“Medical circumcision improves penile hygiene and reduces the risk of certain sexually transmitted infections, including Human Papillomavirus, Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 and syphilis. It is also associated with a lower risk of penile cancer,” he said.

Mabona stressed the importance of ensuring that circumcisions are performed in safe medical environments where proper clinical care is available before, during and after the procedure.

He urged parents and guardians to avoid unsafe or unregulated circumcision practices and to make use of the free services available at public healthcare facilities.

“We encourage parents and guardians to ensure that boys undergoing circumcision do so in safe medical settings where they can receive appropriate medical care throughout the process,” he said.

The free VMMC services are available to men and boys aged 10 years and older at public healthcare facilities across Gauteng’s five districts, including Pretoria.

To access the service, boys younger than 18 must be accompanied by the required documentation, including a certified copy of the parent or legal guardian’s ID and signed consent from the parent or guardian.

All men seeking the procedure are required to provide a certified copy of their ID or birth certificate.

While VMMC provides significant protection against HIV and several other infections, Mabona cautioned that circumcision alone does not offer complete protection.

He encouraged all sexually active individuals to continue practising safer sexual behaviours, including consistent and correct condom use, regular HIV testing and counselling, and adherence to other HIV prevention measures.

“The procedure should be viewed as one component of a broader HIV prevention strategy. Individuals should continue to make informed decisions that protect their health and well-being,” he said.

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