IN CONVERSATION WITH STEVE MABONA,Gauteng Department of Health spokesperson
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As the winter circumcision season gets underway, the Gauteng
Department of Health is encouraging parents, guardians and eligible
males to make use of free Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision
services available at public healthcare facilities across the province.
VMMC is a safe surgical procedure performed by trained healthcare
professionals in accredited health facilities. The procedure forms part
of South Africa’s comprehensive HIV prevention strategy and
contributes to improved health outcomes for boys and men.
Research has shown that VMMC can reduce the risk of heterosexually
acquired HIV infection in men by approximately 60%. Additional health
benefits include improved penile hygiene and a reduced risk of certain
sexually transmitted infections, including Human Papillomavirus,
Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV-2), and syphilis, as well as a lower
10:35
risk of penile cancer.
The winter season traditionally sees increased demand for
circumcision services as many families use the school holidays to
access the procedure. Health authorities are therefore urging parents
and guardians to ensure that boys undergo circumcision in safe
medical environments where they can receive proper clinical care
before, during and after the procedure.
Free VMMC services are available to boys and men aged 10 years
and older at public health facilities across Gauteng’s five districts:
Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, Tshwane, Sedibeng and the West Rand.
To access the service, boys under the age of 18 must be
accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and provide the required
consent documentation. Men seeking the procedure are required to
present a certified copy of their identity document or birth certificate.
While VMMC offers significant protection against HIV and other
infections, health officials stress that it does not provide complete
protection. Individuals are encouraged to continue practising safer
sexual behaviours, including consistent and correct condom use,
regular HIV testing and counselling, and adherence to other HIV
prevention interventions.
Department of Health is encouraging parents, guardians and eligible
males to make use of free Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision
services available at public healthcare facilities across the province.
VMMC is a safe surgical procedure performed by trained healthcare
professionals in accredited health facilities. The procedure forms part
of South Africa’s comprehensive HIV prevention strategy and
contributes to improved health outcomes for boys and men.
Research has shown that VMMC can reduce the risk of heterosexually
acquired HIV infection in men by approximately 60%. Additional health
benefits include improved penile hygiene and a reduced risk of certain
sexually transmitted infections, including Human Papillomavirus,
Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV-2), and syphilis, as well as a lower
10:35
risk of penile cancer.
The winter season traditionally sees increased demand for
circumcision services as many families use the school holidays to
access the procedure. Health authorities are therefore urging parents
and guardians to ensure that boys undergo circumcision in safe
medical environments where they can receive proper clinical care
before, during and after the procedure.
Free VMMC services are available to boys and men aged 10 years
and older at public health facilities across Gauteng’s five districts:
Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, Tshwane, Sedibeng and the West Rand.
To access the service, boys under the age of 18 must be
accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and provide the required
consent documentation. Men seeking the procedure are required to
present a certified copy of their identity document or birth certificate.
While VMMC offers significant protection against HIV and other
infections, health officials stress that it does not provide complete
protection. Individuals are encouraged to continue practising safer
sexual behaviours, including consistent and correct condom use,
regular HIV testing and counselling, and adherence to other HIV
prevention interventions.
