MEC to officially open Zola clinic

25 July 2011

MEDIA ADVISORY: Official opening of the Zola Medical Male Circumcision Service

The MEC for Health and Social Development in Gauteng, Ntombi Mekgwe will officially open the medical male circumcision (MMC) service at the Zola Health Care Center in Soweto this Friday, 29 July 2011.

The Zola center began offering MMC in November last year as part of its comprehensive HIV prevention package. To date, more than 8,000 circumcisions have been performed there.

Medical male circumcision has proven to offer up to 60% protection from HIV. New evidence also shows that circumcision has a significant impact on curbing the rate of new infections.

During the recent school holiday, boys in their teens and young men have flocked to Zola to receive the protective benefits of the procedure. During its busiest times, the clinic performed nearly 200 circumcisions daily.

For many South Africans, circumcision goes beyond being merely a medical procedure and forms part of a right of passage into manhood. It is something the team at Zola is very aware of and their approach has been suitably sensitive and considered.

Zola’s MMC service is run by the Center for HIV and AIDS Prevention Studies(CHAPS) in partnership with the Anova Health Instituteand is funded by USAID and PEPFAR.

The opening includes a tour of the circumcision center.

Time: Proceedings begin at 10:00, Friday 29 July and will end with a lunch at around 13:00.

Venue:Zola Community Health Center, Corner of Maholwane and Obed Streets, Zola 3, Soweto (GPS: -26° 14' 37.41", +27° 49' 52.36")

Contacts:

Dr. Ntlotleng Mabena

CHAPS – Zola Medical Male Circumcision Center

Call: 082 707 6377  ORemail: ntlotleng@chaps.org.za

Mr Simon Zwane

Gauteng Health and Social Development

082 551 9892