Parents are urged to be vigilant and avoid costly and illegal circumcision schools for a safe and free same-day procedure at a facility closer to home.
This call comes as the Gauteng Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs’ (CoGTA) Gauteng Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC) reported unfortunate incidents which include 138 abductions and 2 fatalities, and were experienced between 02 May and 12 June 2024 at illegal initiation schools.
The PICC has approved a total of 145 applications for legal initiation schools (134 male and 11 female) during this Winter Initiation Season. Over and above these schools, circumcision services can also be accessed at free and safe government facilities and accredited medical practitioners across the province.
There are over 46 sites across the Gauteng which accept walk-ins and bookings depending on parents and individuals’ preference to perform the procedure. Some of these sites are fixed while others are mobile sites, and include private doctors contracted by the Gauteng Department of Health to assist in performing male medical circumcision.
To undergo the procedure, a birth certificate or ID is required and parental or guardian consent for males aged 10 to 17. The list of the Voluntary Male Medical Circumcision sites can be accessed by visiting the Gauteng health webpage on www.gauteng.gov.za or by following the department’s social media platforms on: Facebook: @Gauteng Health Department and X: @GautengHealth.
SOURCED FROM THE GPG WEBSITE.
