dyton mupawaenda
Ivan Zhakata-Herald Correspondent
With a rise in urology-related cases doctors have emphasised the importance of men’s health within Zimbabwe’s healthcare systems and the battle against cancer.
Currently, Zimbabwe has only 13 urologists, nine in Harare, four in Bulawayo and one in Gweru.
The Association of Urologic Surgeons of Zimbabwe (AUSZ) recently held its annual meeting to discuss advancements in urological care within the country.
Dr Allen Chiura, president of the AUSZ, highlighted the association’s focus on expanding urology’s reach.
Dr Chiura emphasised that urology addresses the needs of not only men but also women and children.
“Urology is the surgical specialty that deals with the urinary and genital tract. This covers everything related to urine production and elimination, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, penis, and testicle.
“In women, we address similar concerns with the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. There is a misconception that urologists only care for men, but that is not true,” he said.
The AUSZ is particularly concerned about the high prevalence of prostate cancer in men and the lack of early detection. Dr Chiura recommended that all men over 40 have a yearly physical exam and a simple PSA blood test since early detection was crucial for successful treatment.
Currently, around 80 percent of patients arriving at major hospitals like Parirenyatwa or Sally Mugabe already have advanced prostate cancer, Dr Chiura said.
At that stage, cure becomes difficult and we want to reverse this trend. Another concern is the rise of men using dangerous illegal sex drugs. Men experiencing sexual dysfunction should consult a urologist to discuss safe and effective treatment options.
The association was optimistic about a new regional training programme called Cosexa, which offers training for surgical specialists in many fields.
“Currently, urology training is limited to a single centre in Bulawayo. We hope to expand training to Parirenyatwa and Sally Mugabe Hospitals in Harare to address the shortage of urologists and improve overall healthcare for the public.”
Dr Cuthbert Mudimu, the only urologist in Gweru, said some men were using drugs that are not registered in the country.
“ Their storage is not appropriate and we do not know how much is the dosage in those things and the use of such drugs is most likely going to endanger the health of the beneficiary. There is more harm than benefit in using those drugs actually in the long term. They may damage your kidneys, and your liver and it is always important anyway to seek an appropriate explanation for the cause of the underlying problem,” said Dr Mudimu.
“Say, if it is erectile dysfunction, it may be other problems that are causing that, which need to be investigated, this will be sorted by the urologists and that is the role of urology, that is where we come in.”
Dr Trust Mushawarima, a Bulawayo-based urologist, advised men to get screened early.
In Zimbabwe, so far, we do not have a programme for mass screening but men can naturally choose to get screened for prostate cancer which can easily be done by their general practitioners.
The general practitioner can refer to a urologist if there is need for further investigations. Men are afraid of going to the hospital and they need their women counterparts to push them to go and get screened or to be tested for anything” he said.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter