Medical male circumcision (MMC) is now very convenient and affordable with the opening of the TB/HIV Care Clinic in Atlantis during October.
The clinic will provide medical male circumcision services to men from 15 years old and offers the procedure as part of a package of HIV prevention services.
The clinic, at the Med24 building next to the hospital, will be open from 08:00 to 17:00 daily and on one Saturday a month.
The clinic has been operating since June and is seeing a steady flow of clients, which staff attribute to TB/HIV Care’s reputation for quality services. Dr Wendell Isaacs, a medical officer now working as TB/HIV Care’s Continuous Quality Improvement Manager, comments, “I believe TB/HIV Care is already well known in Atlantis because of the similar services we offered in Malmesbury. That is why we have had such a great response to this clinic.”
Working in Atlantis has also had an interesting effect on TB/HIV Care’s staff. According to Dr Shane Beukes, MMC Programme Coordinator, “Working in this clinic has been an eye-opening experience for me. Previously when I thought of Atlantis, I thought of gangsterism and violence, but now that I have had a chance to work in this community, I can see that there is far more to Atlantis. This is a normal place full of good people.”
TB/HIV Care’s site in Atlantis will contribute to the South African Department of Health’s campaign to provide medical male circumcision to 4,3 million men by the end of the year in an effort to reach the goal of an Aids-free generation. Research has proven that medical male circumcision, the removal of the foreskin from the penis by a qualified medical professional, reduces the risk of contracting HIV by 60%.
TB/HIV Care has dedicated a site to providing medical male circumcisions to make it convenient for men to access the service. This clinic makes it possible for men to make an appointment to have the procedure done or just walk in when they have time. There are no long queues and the staff is focused on creating a male-friendly environment.
In addition to the medical male circumcision, men will receive HIV counselling and testing and screening for TB, sexually transmitted infections, high blood pressure and diabetes.
Men who opt to circumcised will have the choice between the surgical method the Prepex device. The latter is a plastic ring that is fitted on the foreskin and worn for a week before being removed, along with the foreskin.
For both options, it is essential that men return for follow up visits to check on the healing process.
