Circumcision – Media Watch
Heritage, health and neonatal circumcision
Whilst the country has welcomed the introduction of medical male circumcision as part of the overall HIV prevention package, the health minister’s bid to perform the procedure on infants has been met with resistance.
Particularly, traditional leaders in the Eastern Cape have spoken out against the introduction of neonatal circumcision as part of a new hospital plan, The New Age reports. The article further reports that the Department of Health plans to circumcise 5.7 million baby boys in a bid to curb the spread of HIV and other STIs.
The Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders this week argued that “asking boys to go to hospital and perform a medical circumcision” is “wrong”.
Working to tackle HIV infection
At a two day conference held in Durban this week Sabcoha (South African Business Coalition on HIV) announced they would be putting forward a 5-year strategy to aid government's promotion of HIV education in the workplace. They will also assist in upgrading health care facilities near places of work making them more accessible.
Traditional male circumcision: A cleaner cut
This week a slightly incoherent Daily Sun article emphasised the fact that traditional leaders and the Department of Health are collaborating to minimize the deaths and injuries associated with traditional circumcision.
Chief Eric Galada is quoted in the article, saying that efforts are being made to ensure traditional surgeons and nurses use safer and more hygienic methods during and after the circumcision procedure.
Among the measures being taught are not using the same cutting instrument for more than one initiate and wearing gloves whilst dressing the initiates’ wounds.
