20 Sep 2018

Men should cry when they are in pain and express their emotions when stressed.

Francistown East MP, Mr Buti Billy noted, at a bonfire gathering for men held at Francistown’s Pelotelele Ward on September 19 that men had been raised under pressure to stay strong no matter how hard things were, hence many men’s complicated health matters often go unchecked.

The gathering, which saw a sizeable number of men from around Francistown gather by the hillside to discuss health matters concerning them was organised by Jubilee Clinic in conjunction with Francistown District Men Sector.

Mr Billy stated that an event themed; My Family’s Health, My Responsibility, which brought together different men from various walks of life, was important as it afforded them an opportunity to freely express themselves about their health and wellness.

On HIV/AIDS, which dominated the discussions, MP Billy announced that government has come up with internationally backed reforms to fight the disease.

However, he noted that efforts to eliminate new cases of the virus in Botswana, as well as successes in Prevention of Mother To Child Transmission (PMTCT) depended on men coming on board to fully participate in such initiatives.

“It is possible to make Botswana HIV/AIDS free by 2030, but it cannot be done without you men. You just have to swallow your pride and say ‘I am also a human being and sickness affects me too’,” he said.

He also called on men to use condoms regularly as they were given for free in clinics and hospitals around the country.

Earlier on the sidelines of the event, Jubilee Clinic matron, Ms Bagele Nalebomo told BOPA that they organised the bonfire in an effort to meet one-on-one with men and talk about their health.

She highlighted that it was the first event of that kind in Francistown.

“Our biggest concern was that many men neglected their health and whenever a man shows up at the nearest health facility, they’d be so sick that in some cases it is too late to control their disease or illness,” Ms Nalebomo said.

While men where often considered heads of families, she explained that some were generally clueless about even such small things as their children’s birthdays, their level of education and were even reluctant to be seen bringing their babies for monthly vaccines or medical check-ups.

Ms Nalebomo raised a concern about men who use their partners to check on their status and those who force their partners to indulge in unprotected sex, ultimately infecting the unborn baby during pregnancy.

“This event touched on the male sexual reproductive health, gender based violence and HIV/AIDS. Through the gathering we will teach them about the 90/90/90 declaration, which Botswana is signatory to, that is 90 per cent of all patients should be tested for the disease, 90 per cent of patients should be given treatment right away and 90 per cent under treatment should have the disease suppressed and not fall sick again,” she said.

Mr Thapelo Maripe from the Men Sector office in Francistown narrated how the organisation in the city nearly vanished as it had been inactive for a while until the office of the District Commissioner and the District Aids Coordinator revived it.

Other stakeholders who attended the bonfire included members of the Botswana Defence Force, Botswana Police Service, Department of Gender Affairs, District Health Management Team, Pelotelele Ward Development Committee members and the general public. ENDS