Khayelitsha gets a men’s health clinic

On Thursday, the Anova Health Institute, in partnership with the Western Cape Department of Health, opened a men’s clinic at the Michael Mapongwana Clinic in Khayelitsha. Addressing the residents who attended the launch, Dr Qondisa Qina, programme director at Anova, said the clinic will play a big role in addressing men’s health in Khayelitsha and surrounds.

“Men generally have a challenge with coming to the clinic. This room we are launching will allow men to come to the clinic after hours, when the facility is less crowded. Men are known to be breadwinners, so if they suffer health issues, then that means the whole family suffers. It is very important that they take care of their health. In most cases, they present themselves very late to the clinic when already very ill,” said Qina.

She said men were lagging even in testing for HIV or keeping to their treatment when testing positive. “They need to be educated. One of our goals with this clinic is to ensure men are tested, treated, and achieve viral suppression. Men are still much behind in this regard. They normally seek help when their situation is even more complicated. Men also do not like to sit in long queues, and facilities must start providing equity for men,” she added.

Speaking to Elitsha, facility manager, Khanyisile Jacobs said, “This clinic focusing on men will help families because they will become healthier. We have noticed that the government and the World Health Organisation [WHO] only speak about women and children’s health. Men suffer in silence, and they grapple with many illnesses. They often come to the clinics when it’s already late and are already sick. If a father is sick, the whole family becomes sick. Men like presenting as strong and then suffer. We hope through this room we will see a healthy Khayelitsha community.”

The facility will initially be operating only twice per month, on Thursdays between 16h00 and 18h00 in the evening. “As demand for this service grows, we will then also extend the days of operation. We chose the late afternoon because we want men to be free to come, when the clinic is not full,” said Jacobs.

The clinic will offer healthcare services, including HIV testing, physical examinations, TB screening, HIV testing services (HTS) and circumcision, and health education. Similar facilities include Kuyasa Men’s Clinic also in Khayelitsha, and another one in Fisantekraal.

Lebogang Makokoana, project coordinator at Anova, said, “I have been long advocating for men to take care of their health. A healthy man means a healthy family and community. We want to educate men about the value of them taking care of their health. We have retainer coaches and will place one of them at Michael Mapongwana, so that they can help men who are diagnosed with any health related matter.”

Activist and writer, Diana Ferrus also gave an address and called on men to be vulnerable and learn not to bottle things up. “Men’s mental health issues start at a very young age where they are told to be strong, and that they come first before women in most things. Now, when things don’t go accordingly and men cannot fulfill some of these gender roles attached to them, it affects them in many different ways including their health,” said Ferrus.

Other organisations who joined the launch included the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), TB HIV Care and Umthombo Wempilo. Buhlebenkosi Msipha, from Umthombo Wempilo, said this added service will mostly assist men who work in the informal economy to access health confidentially. “It has been tiring to always say there is no clinic for men every time we have dialogues. Now this clinic will shut our mouths in that regard and there will be no excuses. We need to prioritise men’s health, and also not leave behind young men. Health issues are mostly a problem among black and working-class people. We will support this initiative as much as we can,” said Msipha. He said it was frightening that the Khayelitsha area records the highest statistics of new HIV infections as compared to other areas.

Ward 98 councillor, Anele Gabuza said, “The facility will be a big help, because men don’t take health related matters seriously. We will be encouraging men to come as this clinic is open for them. Men are sick out there and have real health problems that need urgent interventions.”