Several male students from the Durban University of Technology (DUT) will experience a life changing medical procedure at the University’s Isolempilo Campus Health Clinic, Steve Biko Campus on 1 March 2013 at 9:00am.

DUT will be one of the first universities to perform Medical Male Circumcision (MMC) on campus. “MMC is the surgical complete removal of the foreskin covering the end of the penis. The procedure is done by a qualified healthcare practitioner,” said Soori Wardthen, the Chief Professional Nurse in the Student Counseling and Health Department.

Over 15 students expressed an interest in being part of the experience which prompted the University to allow MMC to be available on campus. “We felt we needed to bring the procedure closer to home (on campus),” said Wardthen.

The idea came after 400 students have been circumcised since 2010. DUT partnered with MatCH (Maternal, Adolescent and Child Health) and St Aidan’s Hospital to reach this goal.

Wardthen mentioned a number of benefits that MMC have, including protection against HIV/AIDS for both men and women hence reducing the number of people needing healthcare for HIV/AIDS. It also protects against penile and cervical cancer. Although these are the benefits, Wardthen expressed the importance of “always using a condom when having sex”.

For more information on the MMC taking place on 1 March 2013 at the Isolempilo Campus Health Clinic contact:

Clinic reception: 031 373 223 or Soori Wardthen on 031 373 2267.

– Nikita Smith-Morgan