THE Philandoda Male Wellness Programme was launched at the eShowe taxi rank on Friday with the opening of a unique males-only health services facility.
The programme aims to raise the percentage of males that test for HIV and access treatment and prevention options.
The programme is a partnership between the KZN Department of Health, uMlalazi Municipality and the international humanitarian medical organisation, Doctors Without Borders (MSF).
MSF has been working to curb HIV and TB incidence and mortality in eShowe and Mbongolwane since 2011.
‘A survey conducted by MSF in eShowe in 2017 established that men are often reluctant to attend clinics when feeling sick, mainly because of the long waiting times, but also because many men are uncomfortable with female staff and with the high numbers of women and children in waiting rooms,’ said Musa Ndlovu, MSF’s Deputy Field Coordinator.
One way to reach men is by adapting HIV services to their needs.
When the participants in our survey were asked what would encourage them to come to the facility, more than 86% said they would consider doing so if it was a male-only site.
Large numbers of respondents also said they would visit if it was conveniently situated near to the taxi rank and if the facility provided a fast service.
‘The Philandoda Male Wellness Programme has been designed with these preferences in mind,’ said Ndlovu.
The facility will be open from Mondays to Saturdays between 8am and 4pm and services will include minor ailment treatment, screening and treatment for STIs, HIV testing services, TB screening and treatment, ART initiation, ART collection and chronic disease screening and treatment.
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