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Safe circumcision in an hour

Consider safe circumcision at ZuziMpilo Medical Centre as it has been scientifically proven that circumcision reduces the rate of HIV/AIDS infection by 50 – 60% in men. You should be aware that circumcision does not fully protect you from HIV and AIDS or other sexually transmitted infections.  Whether circumcised or not, you should protect yourself from HIV by abstaining from sex, or being faithful to one partner whom you are sure is HIV negative or by using condom correctly every time you have sex.

The procedure

The procedure which costs only R500 is painless, as it is done under a local anaesthetic and requires one follow up visit to ZuziMpilo Clinic. The procedure includes:

  • a one hour consultation,
  • an optional HIV test,
  • strong pain-relief medication,
  • antibiotics, and
  • a follow up visit.

 

Feel free to ask any questions about the circumcision procedure or about the risks and benefits before making your decision to be circumcised at ZuziMpilo Medical Centre in Johannesburg.

What’s involved

Circumcision is a minor surgical procedure for removing the fold of skin (foreskin) that covers the front area of the penis. You will be awake while the procedure is performed.  The penis base will be injected with medicine to reduce pain during surgery.  You will be able to rest at the clinic for as long as necessary (30 min – 1 hour) after the procedure.  You will be given pain tablets and antibiotics to take home and directions on how to take care of the wound.

Follow-up visit

You will return to the clinic seven days after the circumcision. The doctor or the nurse will check your penis to make sure there are no problems.  If there are any problems, you will receive treatment for free.  However if you feel heavy pain, swelling, bleeding or any signs of infection that you think are not normal at any time return to the clinic immediately. Do not wait for your appointment date. You must not have sex for at least six weeks after the circumcision to allow the skin to heal properly.

Risks and discomfort

As with any surgical procedure there are risks associated with circumcision.  They include the following:

  • Bleeding
  • Pain
  • Swelling
  • Infection
  • Risk of HIV infection or other infection (STI) if you have sex before the wound is fully healed (usually six weeks after procedure)

 

Circumcision: Post operation instructions

 

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Read about Circumcision at ZuziMpilo Medical Centre

 

 

 
 

One man’s reaction to his diagnosis.
 

How this lady’s life has improved

10 ways to be successful on ARVs

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Antiretroviral therapy typically combines three or more antiretroviral drugs that work together to keep the HI Virus from multiplying. Although antiretroviral drugs improve health and delay death, they do not cure HIV/AIDS.

 

  1. Commit to drug taking: ART is lifelong treatment which needs to be taken correctly for it to be effective.
  2. Get to know your treatment: Ensure that you know and understand what medication you are on and how to take it.
  3. Choose a pill time: Get help from your healthcare provider to work out a medication schedule that will fit into your daily activities.
  4. Remember your medication: Make use of an alarm clock or cellphone to remind you when to take your medication.
  5. Get a pillbox: Keep a supply of your drugs with you wherever you go, so that you do not miss your pill time (it also helps to have a bottle of water with you).
  6. Get a treatment buddy: It helps to disclose to someone close to you, preferably someone who lives with you, who will be able to offer you support and to remind you to take your treatment.
  7. Missed doses: If you miss a dose take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for your next dose then you should wait and take the next dose. Do not take double doses.
  8. Stopping treatment: Do not stop treatment on your own, unless instructed to do so by your doctor.
  9. Be aware of side effects: Ensure that your health care provider has explained to you any possible side effects that you may experience. If you do experience any report them to your Health care provider as soon as possible.
  10. Monitoring and evaluation: Be sure to keep all scheduled appointments with your healthcare provider, especially in the first few months of taking treatment, so that the effect of the treatment can be monitored.

 
 

Name: Sarah
Female
Age: 34 years

This patient found out that she was HIV positive when she was 4 months pregnant. She struggled to tell her mom and her partner who also found out he was HIV positive. She gave birth to an HIV negative son. Her family supports her to take her ARVS every evening when Generations begin and she hasn’t looked back. In fact she often forgets she is HIV positive!
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Name: Disebo

Female
Age: 39 years

This ZuziMpilo Medical Centre patient thought she would die within three days of her AIDS diagnosis which she discovered after the birth of her son. Rather than tell her family the truth, she told her mom she had Cancer, but when she finally admitted to having AIDS, she was almost forced to leave home. Thankfully she began on ARVs. She says: “Seven year later I am still doing well on treatment and living a healthy life thanks to the drugs. Antiretroviral medication really works!”
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