Andile Tshuma, Zimpapers Writer
ZIMBABWE’S battle against HIV has achieved remarkable progress over the years, thanks to expanded access to testing, treatment, and prevention services. Yet, behind these gains lies a persistent challenge that health authorities warn could stall further success — men are still not coming forward in sufficient numbers.
This concern dominated discussions at a recent men’s engagement meeting in Bulawayo, where health officials, city authorities, and community leaders gathered to confront a long-standing but often quietly acknowledged problem — men’s reluctance to seek health care.
The meeting, organised as part of ongoing efforts to encourage men to take responsibility for their health, was convened by the National Aids Council (NAC) with support from the Bulawayo City Council Health Services Department. Both organisations agree that male health-seeking behaviour remains worryingly low.
NAC Provincial Programmes Officer, Douglas Moyo, addressing participants at the meeting, admitted that the organisation was still struggling to achieve desired levels of health-seeking behaviour among men.
“When we look at statistics from our health facilities, very few men go to seek health services. This poor health-seeking behaviour tells us that men generally have a low risk perception, which increases their vulnerability to HIV, and that is the reason why as NAC, we have decided to have such engagements where men can sit down, have a talk and share their most challenging issues together, in a safe space, curated by them for them,” he said.
Health officials stress that the issue extends beyond HIV. Rising cases of sexually transmitted infections, untreated chronic illnesses, and mental health challenges — including suicide — point to deeper struggles among men, many of whom only seek help when conditions have deteriorated.
“Mental health challenges are affecting men’s willingness to seek care and maintain healthy behaviours. These challenges need targeted support and honest engagement,” said Nelson Siziba, a medical practitioner.
For many men, the barriers are not medical but social. Cultural expectations around masculinity, fear of stigma, and the belief that seeking care is a sign of weakness continue to keep men away from clinics, according to behavioural scientists.
Against this backdrop, the Bulawayo City Council Health Services Department is rolling out deliberate measures to make health facilities more accessible and welcoming to men. City health officials say plans are underway to establish male-friendly zones and designated service hours at council clinics, allowing men to access health services privately if they wish.
The Bulawayo City Council Health Services Department Health Promotion Officer, Kelton Ncube, said research and surveys had revealed that health facilities were not always friendly, with most men preferring more private spaces when seeking health services.
“We have realised that some men are intimidated by the clinic environment. As a city, we are working to create male-friendly spaces and hours, train our staff on gender-sensitive service delivery, and ensure men can seek services comfortably and confidentially,” said Ncube.
The city is also integrating HIV services with general health checks, a strategy aimed at reducing stigma by ensuring that men do not feel singled out when they visit health facilities.
“Our goal is to normalise men’s health-seeking behaviour. We want men to come for any health concern and, while they are here, access HIV testing, counselling and other services,” said Ncube.
Beyond clinics, NAC is taking services directly to men through targeted outreach programmes such as the “Brother-to-Brother” model and sports-based initiatives, which engage men in environments where they feel at ease.
“We meet men where they are, through sports and community activities, we are able to start conversations about health, HIV prevention and testing in a way that resonates,” said Moyo.
Some men attending the engagement meeting acknowledged that attitudes are slowly changing.
“Most of the time, as men, we think going to the clinic is a sign of weakness, but I now realise that knowing your health status is important, not just for you, but for your family,” said Ellington Moyo, a participant.
Another man said respectful treatment at health facilities makes a difference.
“When services are explained properly and you feel respected, it becomes easier to go for testing and other health checks,” he said.
Health authorities say men’s engagement meetings like this one are becoming increasingly important platforms for open dialogue, learning, and attitude change. As Bulawayo continues to push for improved public health outcomes, officials stress that encouraging men to seek care early is not just about reducing HIV infections, but about building healthier families and communities.
The National Aids Council and the Bulawayo City Council say targeted interventions are now being rolled out to make health facilities more male-friendly and encourage men to seek care. The message from the meeting was clear: progress is possible, but only if men step forward — and if health systems continue to meet them halfway.
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