Cut to keep men healthy

MISCONCEPTIONS about the procedure affect the decision to get circumcised. For Sydenham resident Sibusiso Nsimbini, 26, the decision to protect his partner from HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) overcame any stigma attached to getting the snip.

The Department of Health in KwaZulu-Natal confirmed it was approaching the milestone figure of 700 000 medical male circumcisions – with 684 000 already done.

This meant that more people were becoming aware of the benefits of circumcision.

The Sunday Tribune visited Wentworth Hospital this week where camps were being held.

Nsimbini came in with his friend, Philiswe Nkambula, 24, for the procedure.

He said it was comforting to know someone else was also getting circumcised. He admitted he was daunted by thoughts of a botched operation and had heard of unqualified doctors conducting the procedure.

“The process is simple and is done within two hours,” he said after his operation. “Oh, and there is no pain.”

He said he decided to get circumcised after hearing of the benefits.

Circumcision is believed to reduce HIV infection by 60 percent. It also lowers the risk of STIs and diseases.

Cells that attract HIV are removed. It reduces a man’s risk of penal cancer and a female’s risk of cervical cancer.

“Many people become infected because they fear the unknown. They don’t take care of themselves, even when there are free initiatives held to reduce the risk of HIV.

“For me, staying healthy and clean for my partner is important and reduces my chances of getting HIV/Aids. So I encourage all men to get circumcised,” he said.

Dr Ndumiso Xhakaza and nurse Deepak Maharaj from Maternal, Adolescent and Child Health (Match), said the camps had been held at St Aidan’s, Wentworth and KwaMashu hospitals from Monday to Friday. There had been special outreach camps for men in areas such as Ngoma, Pongola, Edumbe, Encone Prison and Mondlo Clinic at Vryheid Hospital. They said the process was simple.

Men who want to get circumcised need to book or visit the sites where the camps are held.

The camps are open for boys aged 12 and older.

Saving

Xhakaza said while the circumcision process took 30 minutes, the patient had to undergo counselling, HIV testing and be examined clinically before being circumcised.

Once the procedure was over there was a waiting period of another two hours.

“These procedures would cost around R13 000 at a private hospital and R900 if they were done by a general practitioner. Free medical male circumcision camps were established in 2010, and give men who can’t fork out extra cash a chance to get it done safely. The process can be done fairly quickly.

“There is a stigma attached to circumcision because men fear the pain and HIV testing. Some feel it would decrease sensation during intercourse. These things are incorrect.

“Our staff are equipped to support a person throughout the journey making it safe and secure,” he said.

Maharaj said that once the operation had been done, the patient would have to return on days three, seven and 21 for check-ups.

He said a patient would have to abstain from sex for six weeks and use a condom when having sex.

Many of the clinics where outreach camps are set up have all the equipment, including diathermy ( a machine that stops bleeding) and circumcision packs with the material needed to conduct the procedures.

The Department of Health has partnered with Xhosa leaders who traditionally circumcise young men in the mountains for cultural purposes.

Xhakaza said these circumcisions could be risky and result in death, so it was essential that the department consulted traditional leaders and reached an agreement.

The camps, usually held in January, see traditional Xhosa nurses, who have been circumcised the traditional way, conduct the procedures.

According to Xhakaza, the last death toll was 26 compared with hundreds of deaths in years before.

He said this meant that circumcision was working well.

“My advice to people is to not be bound by the chains of stigma because fearing it may rob a person of leading a healthy lifestyle,” he said.

KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Sibongiseni Maxwell Dhlomo said parents and caregivers should allow their children to attend these camps as they had great potential to turn around the prevalence of HIV.

Those who want to get circumcised can call 082 043 3399, 031 275 1872 or send a “please call me” to 071 287 0760. Michelle Vogelzang planted this Solidaritree at this year’s International Aids Conference because she wanted to do more than just attend the event.