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Jun 22
Men’s health is society’s wealth

by Siyabonga Gema (Communications Officer, Health Systems Trust)

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South African men have a noble task: taking a stand to protect society against HIV/AIDS, through caring for their health.

The extent of the impact

The HIV epidemic has had a devastating impact on societies, largely on women and young girls. Beyond giving rise to medical research, it has also raised questions about our social landscape and how this can fuel driving factors such as gender inequality and gender-based violence.

According to UNAIDS, an estimated 2.46 million adult men (15 years and older) are living with HIV in South Africa. This statistic is a glaring indicator of the extent of the impact of HIV on men, and calls for men to make use of programmes and services that empower them to lead happier and healthier lives post-diagnosis.

Society benefits from men's commitment

HIV incidence in South African adults has declined, but there is an indication of a rise in new infections among adolescent girls and young women, which is directly linked to their sexual relationships with older men. This brings to the fore the concerning reality of men's role in the perpetuation of the HIV epidemic.

This Men's Health Month, we call on men as protectors to take the lead towards achieving the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets for epidemic control by 2030: 95% of people living with HIV being aware of their status, 95% of those aware of their status being on antiretroviral treatment (ART), and 95% of those on ART maintaining viral load suppression by 2025. Achieving these targets can be accelerated by developing more men's health programmes and by men taking up these programmes.

This week sees the launch of the Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) campaign in South Africa, which raises awareness that people living with HIV on ART who achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load cannot pass HIV to others via sexual activity. By knowing their status, adhering to treatment, and remaining virally suppressed, men can protect themselves and others.

Mina. For Men. For Health

Exclusively targeted at South African men living with HIV, 'Mina. For Men. For Health' is a network that provides access to resources and support for men to lead healthy lives. The name itself highlights accountability, through the use of the isiZulu word 'mina' – me, which is a powerful reminder that health starts with an individual commitment.

Here, South African men challenge the narrative that they should not speak up by sharing personal stories on how they reached out to seek help for a second chance at life. This platform also assists men in locating clinics close to them, and men can join WhatsApp and Facebook support groups with just a few clicks. One of the common gender norms is that men's issues should only be discussed with men; Mina. For Men. For Health allows men to do exactly that.

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Visit the Mina. For Men. For Health website (https://www.minaformenforhealth.co.za) to learn more.

What health avenues are available?

For sexually active men, the general advice is to test for HIV at least once a year, but more regular testing is best.

If you are HIV-positive, begin treatment right away and stick with it. It's important to remember that as a man, being on treatment also benefits your sexual partner. Staying on treatment increases your chances of achieving viral load suppression, making you unlikely to infect your partner.

Participating in voluntary medical male circumcision protects the health of individual men and communities.

As a personal commitment, men should make greater use of health services for prevention, testing, and treatment of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. 


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