The MEC for Health in Gauteng, Mr Hope Papo will tomorrow, 17 August 2012, officially open Aurum Tembisa Clinical Research Centre and a Winnie Mandela Male Sexual Health Clinic in Tembisa Hospital, Ekurhuleni.
The male sexual health clinic began offering male medical circumcision in September 2011 as part of its comprehensive HIV prevention package. To date, more than 8500 circumcisions have been performed. During its busiest times, the clinic performed nearly 150 circumcisions daily.
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.
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 staff in all MMC sites in Gauteng is very aware of and their approach has been suitably sensitive and considered.
The state-of-the-art TB/HIV Research Centre aims at conducting epidemiological and clinical research into the broad range of issues in these diseases, from diagnostics, to treatment regimes, to drug and vaccine trials and other preventive strategies.
Both these centres are runned in partnership by the Gauteng Department of Health (Tembisa Hospital), Ekurhuleni Municipality and The Aurum Institute.
The opening includes a tour of the circumcision center as well as the research facility.
Details for the official opening are as follows:
Date: Friday, 17 August 2012
Time: 08h30
Venue: Tembisa Hospital, Ekurhuleni
Enquiries:
Simon Zwane
Cell: 082 551 9892
Healthcare improves in Ekurhuleni
Province
