The eThekwini Municipality launched six men’s only health corners at clinics around the city. They hope this will get more men to get check-ups done regularly.
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The eThekwini Municipality is focusing attention on men’s health through the creation of dedicated men's-only healthcare corners at six of its primary clinics.
The initiative emerged from a growing demand for male-friendly healthcare spaces.
Six municipal clinics including Lamontville, Pinetown, Savannah Park, Mzamo, Mpola, and Chesterville offer exclusive men’s health services, said Vukani Mbhele, communications spokesman for the municipality.
The idea was an initiation from the national Department of Health which identified that men were reluctant to visit healthcare facilities. The city was brought on board to help close this gap. Head of Health in the city, Rosemary Van Heerden said men were reluctant to discuss their personal health issues and usually sought help as a last resort.
“We launched the pilot project at the Pinetown Clinic, aiming to change the mindset where men typically sought medical help only as a last resort or after trying self-medication or alternative remedies. The pilot began around two years ago and due to increasing demand, we’ve since expanded to six clinics with dedicated men’s health sections,” said Ms Van Heerden.
She said the goal is to continue growing this number to meet the ongoing need. The facilities are still open to everyone, but these six clinics specifically have sections within them that are exclusively for men only, said Ms Van Heerden.
“To help men feel more comfortable, the city has trained male nurses specifically assigned to these dedicated sections. While the aim is to increase the number of male nurses, the city has ensured a balanced team by including experienced female nurses in supporting roles. Men are encouraged to visit healthcare facilities and to make them their first point of reference when they are unwell and require medical assistance,” Ms Van Heerden said.
The services offered in these sections are comprehensive primary healthcare services. These are normal services that patients receive when they go to the clinic and include treatment for minor ailments, management of chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension, as well as mental health screening.