Healthcare officials at the Isolempilo Campus Health Clinic, DUT Steve Biko Campus, were impressed with the number of male students who turned up for Medical Male Circumcision (MMC) last week.
A total of 25 male students signed up for the procedure and eagerly awaited their fate on Friday (1 March 2013). DUT, in partnership with MatCH (Maternal, Adolescent and Child Health) and St Aiden’s Hospital were able to perform this process on campus, being the first higher education institution in KwaZulu-Natal to perform MMC on campus.
Before students could undergo the procedure, nurses at the Isolempilo Campus Health Clinic performed routine medical checks on the students and tested the students’ blood pressure, blood sugar, temperature and haemoglobin levels. HIV/AIDS testing as well as TB screening were also conducted.
Msizi Ngwane, first-year Civil Engineering student bravely underwent the procedure. The idea of circumcision was introduced to him by someone close to him, and he was determined to have the operation. “I was very nervous before the circumcision but it turned out to be less painful than what I had expected,” said Ngwane. He is glad to have done the procedure since being circumcised is “hygienic and safe”.
“It’s good to protect yourself and keep yourself safe. Now I have one less thing to worry about,” said Ngwane.
Levy Meyer, Programme Manager of KZN MatCH who performed the procedure on the male students said that she was impressed with the turnout. “This (MMC) is part of the HIV/AIDS Prevention Programme in which we help people in the prevention process. We all know that prevention is better than cure and it is ultimately cheaper to prevent by MMC than to purchase ARVs,” said Meyer. The idea behind the programme is to get as many men to be circumcised and educated about MMC because “if you don’t have health, you don’t have wealth. Although the after effects of the process include mild pain, bleeding and sensitivity of the head of the penis, the advantages of MMC are far greater”, Meyer said.
The Isolempilo Campus Health Clinic plays a big role in the post-circumcision process. “We assess the wounds and check for any adverse effects. We also make sure that students are informed about how to take care of the wound,” said Soori Wardthen, Chief Professional Nurse in the Student Counseling and Health Department.
– Nikita Smith-Morgan
Pictured Sister Lynette Chetty, a Senior Professional Nurse at the DUT Isolempilo Campus Health Clinic performs a routine medical check before the student is circumcised. A total of 25 male students underwent the procedure on Friday last week (1 March 2013).
