The Member of the Mayoral Committee for Health and Social Development in the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Ashley Sauls I, on Wednesday 27 July 2022, participated in the launch of the dedicated men’s healthcare services now being offered at Randburg Clinic in Region B.
This is the ninth clinic in the City of Johannesburg to offer these services. The Randburg Clinic is in partnership with the Anova Health Institute, which has developed extensive expertise in all areas of, in particular, men’s sexual health over the years, including HIV combination prevention and both STI and HIV treatment and mental health care for men.
Men are known to use healthcare services to a lesser extent than women, and the Anova Health and Johannesburg district are scaling up men’s health services to bridge the gap by providing health care by male healthcare providers at clinics who are skilled, trained and competent in providing care and attending to men’s health.
Free healthcare and HIV-related services include screening, monitoring, management and counselling along with free and confidential HIV screening in a discreet and relaxed environment.
If you do test positive, you can expect to receive CD4 and viral load testing and counselling, free antiretroviral treatment therapy, STI-related services, sexual and reproductive health services, detection for cancers including those of the prostate, testicles, intestines, anus and more.
The clinics offer free pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for high-risk HIV negative men to prevent HIV. It also gives out free Health 4men Condoms, Max condoms and lubricants.
In his keynote address, MMC Sauls I said: “I’m sure that the male-targeted programmes and services being offered at this clinic will be a great success. As a man myself, all I can say is that when it comes to looking for help, especially for health issues, men can be stubborn. Way too stubborn. Let’s just say that I’ve met a few too many men who would rock up at the emergency room with an axe stuck in their back and say they’re suffering from back pain and that it’s probably nothing to worry about.
“As men, we like to act tough and we ask for help, unfortunately, when it may already be too late.”
He added that, by now the stigma of HIV and Aids must also surely be a thing of the past.
“If you are engaging in risky behaviour, and you know you are, then go on prep. Help yourself to the free condoms at clinics like this. I noted that they even offer the MAX condoms here, so even the giants among us can have no excuses.
“Even if you’ve had a slip-up, contracting HIV is no longer a death sentence. The condition can be managed, and you can live a long and fruitful life. A person on antiretrovirals can have so little active virus in their system that it is impossible for them to infect another person with HIV. They will never deteriorate to the point that they develop Aids. It is now possible to live with the virus, and to live and really live … despite the virus. That won’t happen though if we don’t embrace the services offered by clinics like these though. If we don’t, we will die and disappoint our loved ones. That’s the bottom line.
“Regular check-ups save lives. Basic, primary healthcare services like those being offered at our clinics are far more effective, and far cheaper, in the long term, if we use them regularly, than all the money you can try to throw at a complicated medical problem when it’s simply too late.”
He encouraged the men of Johannesburg to abandon the cliché that “tigers don’t cry”, because that would be a lie. He said men should strive to be honest instead.
“Tigers should cry. Because if you lie [about your health], you will die.”
By not seeking timely medical assistance, he added, “We are making a choice to not be there for our families, our friends, our colleagues and loved ones. Because for all the good intentions in this world, you have to be alive to be there for someone.”
The men’s clinic will operate on Monday to Friday from 07h00 to 18h00 and may extend hours on evenings and weekends depending on demand.
ENDS
For media queries, please contact:
Ewan Botha
Deputy Director: Communications and Stakeholder Management
In the Office of the MMC for Health and Social Development
067 412 6966
28/07/2022
