The mood is relaxed; everybody shares genuine smiles which puts you at ease.
A few more steps inside, it is clear to see why this is. The waiting area hosts a few young men with consent forms clutched in hand, some opting to be cornered in silence, a few outwardly admitting their anxiety while others are glad to get it over and done with.
The Isolempilo Campus Health Clinic on DUT’s Steve Biko Campus, in partnership with MatCH (Maternal, Adolescent and Child Health) and the KZN Department of Health successfully hosted another one of its Medical Male Circumcision (MMC) drives. The event also saw collaboration from the University’s HIV/AIDS Centre, a new addition from previous events.
Isolempilo Campus Health Clinic Manager, Soori Wardthen, highlighted the importance of male circumcision and stressed the critical usage of condoms after the six-weeks of healing.
“Medical Male Circumcision has a lot of health benefits. For example, it reduces the number of possible sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV. We always emphasise to students the importance of using condoms even after circumcision because there is always a chance of getting infections. We also do condom insertion demonstrations to emphasise our point but to also educate them about the proper way to do it,” she added.
Seated in nervous contemplation was Maritime Studies student Luthando Ngcongo, 18. “I’d be lying if I said I was not nervous because this is a big part of me. It is also one of the things my father had asked me to do before he died,” he said, admitting that although it took him about two years to finally muster the courage of getting circumcised, honouring his father’s wish was always on his mind.
“I’ve spoken to a few people who have been circumcised,” said Maritime Studies student Sibusiso Khumalo. “The comments I received were both negative and positive but the common factor with all these comments was the pain they describe.” Although 19-year-old Khumalo said he was ready for his turn, he confessed that he was scared of the pain he will have to endure after the procedure, however adding that the associated health benefits “are worth it”.
A short film based on MMC played in the waiting area while the gentlemen waited anxiously to be called in. The film stressed the continuation of condom usage after circumcision and illustrated possible consequences if this is ignored.
DUT is the only university in KwaZulu-Natal to offer MMC on campus. Although all procedures have been done with 100 percent succession, it is with great concern that the numbers of participation are on a decline.
“Our biggest challenge is the fall in numbers and the low utilisation of the clinic for MMC,” explained Sister Lynette Chetty. “Some students get cold feet at the last minute. Others are reluctant to take an HIV test and some are generally concerned about healing in time for exams, etc. One way of upping the numbers is by offering the students lunch or tea and biscuits, which we do. We also give them free USBs,” she added.
Retail Business Management student Tiisetso Laje said every man should get circumcised, adding that he would encourage his friends and family to also undergo the procedure. “I just had my MMC done and it was not that bad. I would recommend it to all males, especially those that are sexually active. I’m not worried about not having sex for six weeks, that time is needed to recoup,” he added.
– Thobele Nzama
Pictured: Some of the DUT male students who underwent the MMC procedure at the DUT Isolempilo Campus Health Clinic recently are given a condom insertion demonstration. Also pictured is a woman (seated) who is accompanying her male friend who is about to have the procedure done.
