PRESS RELEASE: SACTWU LAUNCHES MEDICAL MALE CIRCUMCISION PROGRAM
Andre Kriel
1ST DECEMBER 2011
PRESS RELEASE: IMMEDIATE
SACTWU ROLL-OUT OF MEDICAL MALE CIRCUMCISION
In support of the National Department of Health’s (NDOH’s) comprehensive HIV prevention package and COSATU’s HIV/Aids prevention program, the Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers Union (SACTWU) Worker Health Program (SWHP), funded by PEPFAR, has launched its own rolled out of surgical Medical Male Circumcision (MMC) services within Kwa Zulu Natal. Free MMC services are offered as part of a comprehensive prevention package offered by SACTWU, including HIV awareness and education, HIV counselling and testing, STI screening and testing and safe sex messaging.
Our MMC pilot project was initially rolled out in the Uthukela and Amajuba Districts of Kwa-Zulu Natal in June this year. With additional funding, SWHP has now extended the program to the eThekwini district and have recently initiated MMC services at e newly built SACTWU Worker Health Program clinic situated in Durban. The first circumcision was conducted on 18 November 2011, with SWHP staff first in line to receive services. This service is offered free to union members and their families.
To date (including for the Uthukela and Amajuba Districts), over 5 000 union members and their families have undergone the SACTWU MMC services. Our target is for 30 000 union members to undergo MMC, in KZN over the next 10 months.
SACTWU is the first trade union globally to offer MMC services as part of its health promotion benefit program offered to trade union members.
Issued by
Andre Kriel
SACTWU
General Secretary
For further information, please contact SWHP Executive Director, Nikki Soboil on 021 448 5263
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