Male medical circumcisions on the rise in Gauteng

According to the department's report, more than 90,000 males underwent medical circumcision in provincial public health facilities during the 2012/13 financial year.

"These 94,151 circumcisions were conducted in 64 sites (41 clinics and 2 hospitals) across the province," the department said.

Gauteng Health MEC, Hope Papo warned that while circumcision has been shown to reduce the transmission of HIV transmission to men, it is still important for men to take precautions.

"Condoms should continue to be used even after circumcision. These are freely available at all public health facilities and other public centres. Knowing your HIV status and that of your partner, abstaining from unprotected sex, faithfulness to one partner remain important methods of stopping the spread of this disease," said Papo.

Where available

In the Johannesburg Region, the service is currently available in 11 clinics/Community Health Centres (Alex; Chiawelo; Zola; Orange Farm; Discoverers; Hillbrow; Diepkloof; Lister Building; Itereleng, Lenasia and Renosterpruit) and five hospitals (Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic; Edenvale; Helen Joseph; South Rand and Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic).

In Ekurhuleni, the service is available in four clinics/community health centres (Nokuthula Ngwenya; Winnie Mandela; Tsakane and AMCARE) and six hospitals (Far East Rand; Bertha Gxowa; Tambo Memorial; Natalspruit; Pholosong and Tembisa).

In Tshwane, sixteen clinics/community health centres (KT Motubatse; Eersterus; Kekana Gardens; Kameelsdrift; Dark City; Zithobeni; Adelaide Tambo; Garankuwa View; Kgabo; Laudium; Pedisong; Suurman; Refentse; Bophelong; Oliven and Soshanguve) and six hospitals (Mamelodi; Pretoria West; Tshwane District; Kalafong; Jubilee and Odi) offer the service.

In Sedibeng, four clinics/community health centres (Johan Heyns; Levai Mbatha; Meyerton and Sharpville) and three hospitals (Heidelberg; Kopanong and Sebokeng) offer the service.

West Rand has six clinics/community health centres (Mogale; Thusong; Thusanang; Bekkersdal West; Yarona and Eric Ndeleni) and three hospitals (Leratong; Yusuf Dadoo and Carltonville) offer the service.