Online Reporter
Rumbidzayi Zinyuke-Senior Reporter
FIRST LADY Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa has launched Zimbabwe’s first men’s wellness campaign aimed at improving access to cancer screening, promoting early detection and encouraging health-seeking behaviours among men.
The historic event, which was held yesterday at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare, marked the country’s first large-scale initiative focusing specifically on men’s health and mental well-being.
Multitudes of men attended to receive free medical services, including prostate cancer screening, blood sugar testing and blood pressure checks.
The campaign seeks to challenge stigma and misconceptions surrounding men’s health while encouraging regular check-ups as part of preventive care.
In keeping with custom and as a gesture of respect, the First Lady graciously humbled herself and sought permission before addressing the men.
Dr Mnangagwa, who is also Health Ambassador and patron of the Cancer Taskforce, interacted with men who were receiving services and emphasised the critical role early detection plays in saving lives.
First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa interacts with a patient during the Men’s Wellness campaign in Harare.
“Today marks a significant milestone in our country’s journey towards a healthy Zimbabwean family, community and nation. I stand before you not only as the First Lady, but as a mother who deeply cares about the well-being of our men, our fathers, our husbands, our brothers, our sons and the pillars of our families,” she said.
The First Lady highlighted the cultural barriers that prevent men from seeking care, urging them to prioritise their health.
“In Zimbabwe, as in many African societies, cultural norms have taught men that showing pain or seeking help is a sign of weakness. Seeking healthcare is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of wisdom, strength and responsibility.”
Mother Zimbabwe stressed the urgency of addressing non-communicable diseases and prostate cancer, the most common cancer among men in Zimbabwe.
The First Lady stressed that every man should know the risk factors associated with prostate cancer, such as age, family history, being of African descent, obesity and unhealthy lifestyles.
Dr Mnangagwa said that for many years, the country’s health programmes had rightly focused on women and children but, in doing so, had unintentionally left a gap.
Men queue for free medical services, including prostate cancer screening, blood sugar testing and blood pressure checks at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals.
“Our men, who work tirelessly, who carry the burden of provision, who are expected to always be strong, have often neglected their own health. Many of them suffer in silence, dismiss symptoms and only seek help when illness is advanced,” she said.
“Let us break the culture of stereotypes that discourage men from seeking help. A real man takes charge of his health. And remember, you do not lose your manhood by visiting a doctor. If anything, you protect it.”
Mother Zimbabwe also implored traditional and religious leaders to take the initiative to their communities to ensure that all men have access to health services.
Through her Angel of Hope Foundation, Dr Mnangagwa has continued to lead national efforts to expand access to healthcare services, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Her initiatives have seen the deployment of a state-of-the-art mobile hospital and clinics that provide free cancer screening and treatment services across the country. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care Dr Aspect Maunganidze lauded the First Lady’s leadership and emphasised the ministry’s commitment to expanding access to men’s health services.
“Your Excellency, we recognise that men were not accessing health services early enough. This led to us coming up with a male engagement strategy. However, this strategy cannot have enough traction without leadership at the highest level. Your Excellency, that is what you have now provided, and this will make sure that this strategy covers the full spectrum of men’s health and makes it very broad to include non-communicable diseases,” he said.
Beneficiaries, including Mr Shingirai Muradzikwa, welcomed the initiative, saying men often miss out on health services.
Multitudes of men attend Zimbabwe’s first Men’s Wellness campaign launch at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare.
“We are happy to be the first to benefit from this programme. As men, we have always been left behind in such programmes, so the fact that the First Lady has come with this programme to empower men with knowledge makes us happy,” he said.
Another Harare resident, Mr Elikanah Midzi, said knowledge was important for men to make informed decisions about their health.
“We are grateful for this programme that seeks to screen men for prostate cancer. Many men are dying because they would rather take traditional medicines when they can be treated at the hospital,” he said.
Mr Kingsley Tapfuma added that the initiative would help thousands of men who were afraid of seeking healthcare.
“As men, we do not take our health seriously, so if men are educated about these diseases, they will want to always seek medical care. I got screened for prostate cancer and my results came back negative. Now I know that I should get this test every year so that I always know where I stand,” he said.
Traditional leaders and church representatives pledged support for the First Lady’s initiative.
A patient undergoes blood pressure checks during the Men’s Wellness campaign.
An elderly patient receives medical checks at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals.
Patients undergo blood pressure and blood sugar checks during the Men’s Wellness campaign at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare. — Pictures: Charles Muchakagara.
“As chiefs, we appreciate this programme. We hope to call these experts to come and conduct similar screenings and treatments back in our villages. We have men who would rather take traditional medicine when they fall ill, so if we bring this initiative, it will get acceptance because we, as chiefs, have accepted it,” said Chief Negomo.
Reverend Rodgers Jefrey also emphasised the role of faith leaders in reaching grassroots communities.
“We are thankful to the First Lady for this initiative. As the Church, we are calling on everyone to complement this work being done by the First Lady so that the information can reach the grassroots back in the Church where many of our men are.”
Harare Metropolitan Province Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Senator Charles Tawengwa said the campaign reflected visionary leadership and a step towards improved care for men.
“It reflects Your Excellency’s visionary leadership in promoting inclusive healthcare and wellness across all sectors of society. As we embark on this journey, let us remember that health is a fundamental human right. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that every Zimbabwean has access to quality healthcare, and the initiative by Your Excellency is a bold step towards achieving that goal,” he said.
The men’s wellness campaign is expected to be rolled out to all provinces, targeting men from urban centres to rural villages, with the aim of raising awareness and providing life-saving screening services to communities that often lack access to specialised healthcare.
