South African guidelines for the preventative use of HIV medication by men who have sex with men who are not infected with the virus are to be published in the peer-reviewed academic publication, Southern African Journal of HIV Medicine, this month.
The treatment, pre-exposure prophylaxis (Prep), consists of an antiretroviral (ARV) pill that is taken daily by HIV-negative people to lower their chances of becoming infected with the virus.
Men who have sex with men (MSM) can now access specialised health care at the Yeoville clinic in central Johannesburg, including free and confidential HIV and STI screening and free treatment for men who test positive.
“The new Health4Men site is a significant development for all men who have sex with men residing in Johannesburg who have been unable to access to appropriate services within the public sector,” explains Prof James McIntyre, Executive Director of the Anova Health Institute. “Now these men have a space where they feel welcome and can be honest about their sexuality when interacting with medical staff.”
MEN who have sex with men (MSM) can now get specialised sexual health services at Soweto’s Zola Clinic.
The Anova Health Institute’s Health4Men initiative launched the service at the clinic on 6 March 2012
The Simon Nkoli Centre for Men’s Health has once again been featured in the Mail&Guardian’s health supplement. The article takes on quite the personal approach as it tackles the issue of race relations and the ability to access treatment for those not falling within the vicinity of the men’s clinic. The article was written by Mia Malan and comes across as somewhat of a narrative piece relating the trials and tribulations of seeking treatment.
HEALTH4MEN IN THE NEWS:An article in the Mail&Guardian (May 13-19 2011) by Yngve Sjolund takes a look at high prevalence rates of HIV positive MSM and gay black men in the Soweto township, with emphasis on Anova’s Health4Men project.