NEW SEXUAL HEALTH SERVICE FOR GAY MEN LAUNCHED IN SOWETO
The Anova Health Institute’s Health4Men initiative has launched a new clinical service for all men who have sex with men (MSM) at Soweto’s Zola clinic.
The service is run in partnership with the Gauteng Department of Health and Social Development.
It provides MSM with HIV screening and treatment, CD4 counts, STI screening (including wart treatment), TB screening, TB prevention (INH) and post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV (PEP).
Health4Men at Zola clinic opened its doors to the public on the 1st of March and was officially launched on Tuesday.
Health4Men already runs a similar clinic targeting MSM at Baragwanath Hospital, known as the Simon Nkoli Centre for Men’s Health.
“If the overwhelming response at Health4Men’s Simon Nkoli Centre for Men’s Health is anything to go by, the new MSM centre at Zola promises to be a popular initiative that will enable even more men to access sexual health care,” said the organisation in a statement.
It added: “The introduction of this innovative service is part of Health4Men’s ongoing commitment to reach MSM in need of competent sexual health care. Historically neglected and stereotyped, the health care needs of MSM are increasingly being recognised as a priority in successfully addressing the HIV epidemic.”
The Health4Men clinic is located at the Zola Community Health Centre, Bendile Road, Zola, Soweto.
At first I was very intimdated by the thought of having to visit Soweto, let alone going to a MSM clinic. Having programmed my Navigation with the address, I set off on an early February morning to the Simon Nkoli Centre for Mens Health… Arriving at Barra, as I found the locals calling it. Nobody knew of or heard of the clinic and I was told I was at the wrong place… I was not going to give up! I was also in need of treatment. So, I called the number I had and the voice on the other end said to ask for the nursing residence and I’d find them on the second floor… Having found the building and managing to secure a parking spot, I walked in the clinic and was greated by a great big smile from a very stylishly dressed receptionist and handed a clip board with a form that I had to fill out with all of my personal detals etc… Then I saw the most friendly member of staff who weighed me and took my blood pressure etc.After this, I was with the counsellor who did my HIV test and then onto the resident nurse for my check up and medication… Being Indian, she assumed I was from Lenasia and we shared a good laugh and chat about life… So, you’re asking, “your point in all of this?” Well, my point is that the experience was a great one. I was treated with respect and made to feel as if I wasn’t the only one going thorugh what I was. I was pleasantly surprised at the level of professionalism. The high standard of healthcare that was available… I’d like to say, well done to all at the Centre and wish you well for the future. You are doing a great job of it and making a difference to the Gay community and the whole community around you… I hope that you will grow from strength to strength and that more people like myslef will be proven wrong and pleasantly surprised by the service you offer… So, to all of you in doubt and in fear and and and… Don’t struggle with whatever you’re going through alone and put others at risk because you’re afraid of not knowing where to go for fear of being judged and or not understood. There are places and there are good people there too… All the best to all of you and a huge “Thank you.” Bless you…
Bravo to Health4Men yet again, one of the few organisations that doesn’t just talk about gay issues but actually does something for us by creating clinics. I am already a fan of your posters and adverts, you guys are super creative, and now it is good to hear that your clinics are also excellent. We need you guys in every province!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!