The Right to Care non-governmental organisation (NGO) urges all men in the Lejweleputswa district to go to their nearest clinic for a free medical circumcision.
“If you take advantage of Soka Fridays, or Circumcision Fridays, you can get circumcised on a Friday and be back at work on Monday morning,” explains Dr Khumbulani Moyo, chief of party (COP) of the voluntary medical male circumcision programme at Right to Care.
Men now have a chance to take extra care in protecting themselves and their partners from HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI’s), as Right to Care has partnered with health centres in each province across South Africa to encourage and make it easy for men to circumcise at no charge.
Circumcision can help prevent HIV transmissions by as much as 60%.
It also reduces the transmission of the human papillomavirus (HPV) which causes cervical cancer in women.
Popular comedian, artist, author and motivational presenter Simphiwe Shembe, a descendant of the prophet Isaiah Shembe, has begun openly discussing male circumcision Z an often taboo subject in South Africa.
Shembe supports Right to Care’s circumcision drive as a key component of South Africa’s HIV prevention programme. The campaign is entitled “ukuSoka (circumcision) with Simphiwe Shembe”.
Shembe is promoting circumcision as a lifestyle choice.
“We cannot turn a blind eye to HIV, and the other benefits of circumcision. Males over 15 years now have the chance to take the bold step to circumcise by making use of the free and voluntary medical circumcision programme available in their local community,” he says.
Moyo adds that Right to Care has performed over 1,5 million safe circumcisions since 2012.
“Medical circumcision is done under local anaesthetic and takes only 30 minutes and there is very little pain involved. Your healthcare worker will tell you everything you need to know, including how to care for your wound.”
Many men worry about the effect a circumcision may have on their sex life, but when performed by trained medical professionals in recognised healthcare facilities, circumcision has no adverse effects on sexual function or pleasure.
It is only during the short healing process that men should not have sex or masturbate.
- Here is where you can go for your circumcision in the Lejweleputswa district, that also operate on a Friday: Katlheho Hospital Z 28 Kommando Laan, Virginia, 9431;) Lusaka Clinic Z Culemborg Ave, Masilo, Theunissen, 9410;) Phomolong Clinic Z 1274 Molefi Street, Henneman, 9445; and) Geneva Clinic Z Kutlwanong, Odendaalsrus, 9480.
All clinics operate from 07:30 until 16:00
To find out more about free medical circumcision or to make an appointment at any of these or other of Right to Care’s circumcision clinics, call or send a “please call me” to the Right to Care circumcision call centre on 082-808-6152. You can also find Right to Care on Facebook.
Right to Care is funded by the Centers for Disease Control through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Pepfar) South Africa.
On behalf of the Department of Health, it provides circumcisions in 350 health facilities across 27 districts in eight provinces.
