A second health clinic dedicated exclusively to men has been opened in Khayelitsha, helping men to access preventative and curative services and allowing them to actively participate in their own healthcare.
Executive Mayor, Alderman Patricia de Lille, and Mayoral Committee Member for Health, Councillor Lungiswa James, officially opened the new Kuyasa Male Clinic at the Kuyasa North Interchange on Thursday July 19, 2012.
A similar exclusively male clinic was opened in Bellville in May and another was opened in Gugulethu in February this year.
The clinics all offer a variety of services including HIV testing and counselling, condom distribution, treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, TB screening and other health issues. The clinics play an educational role, addressing problematic behaviour by men. There is also treatment for male initiations, and referrals for medical male circumcision.
The Executive Mayor said the Kuyasa clinic will not replace other clinics in the area that provide more comprehensive treatments to their patients, but it will provide access to health services in an environment that is conducive for the health needs of men. The need for a male clinic was first identified by local men who requested the City of Cape Town to provide a health facility where they can freely access health treatment and cater to their particular needs.
“This administration is committed to tackling redress, to righting the injustices of our past. The opening of this clinic is one of a broad range of initiatives that the City is undertaking in order to provide quality services to historically neglected areas across Cape Town,” she said.
“This clinic will become the first port of entry for many men into the health services. It is situated at a busy public transport interchange to make it accessible to those in need of its services. Men of this community are encouraged to make use of this facility and protect their health and that of their families,” the Executive Mayor said.
The clinic is open between 08:00 and 16:30 during week days.
- City Health website
