UKZN Conducts Medical Male Circumcision on Site

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UKZN’s HIV and AIDS and Wellness Programme recently hosted and organised a Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) and Health Awareness Day, providing on-site circumcision and health screenings to staff, students and surrounding communities.

The Programme, in partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, held at the Westville campus not only encouraged health awareness but social, financial, emotional, spiritual and environmental awareness.

Ms Thenjiwe Manana from DramAidE advised students to scrutinise whatever they do before they engage into it. She encouraged female students to encourage their boyfriends to get circumcised, as this reduces their chances of cervical cancer.

Manana advised students to take ownership of their sexual life, and to remember that abstinence is the only method to ensure there were no new infections. She added that sexual gratification and finance were huge contributors to new HIV infections.She told students that sexually transmitted diseases can stay in your body for 20 years.

Manana said research has shown that people were not using condoms when the relationship progressed.  

Poverty and Social cohesion activist, Councillor Mr Dumisani Ngema, said stigmatisation compounded the problem and prevented people in declaring their HIV status.

He added that HIV was previously associated with promiscuity and poverty.

Ngema said education and shifting of policies helped, adding that even though MMC does not act as a a prevention but it minimises your chances of infection.

He advised students to play it safe, circumcise, condomise and to educate others. 

Students were advised to study hard towards their degrees.

Sithembile Shabangu