More than 1,000 men attend Nyeri’s male-only medical camp

More than 1,000 men attended this year’s Male-Only Engagement and Medical Camp held at Muthuaini Girls Secondary School in Nyeri County, with health officials describing the turnout as a positive step towards improving men’s health-seeking behaviour.

The one-day medical camp, now in its second year, was organized by the Nyeri County Department of Medical Services and Public Health and ran from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.

Participants received a range of free medical services, including cancer screening, chest X-rays, urology consultations, mental health counselling, diabetes and hypertension screening, general medical consultations, tuberculosis screening, eye care, dental and ear, nose and throat (ENT) services, physical disability assessments, health education, financial literacy and legal awareness sessions.

Nyeri Governor Dr. Mutahi Kahiga, who attended the event, lauded the large turnout and pledged to continue organizing similar forums to encourage men to prioritize their health.

He said the annual medical camps were introduced after growing concern over the physical, mental, social and economic wellbeing of men and boys in the county.

“Following the success of the inaugural camp at D.E.B. Muslim Primary School, we remained committed to creating a platform where men could comfortably access quality healthcare, receive health education and openly discuss issues affecting their physical, mental, social and economic wellbeing,” Dr. Kahiga posted on his official Facebook page.

The Governor said he was encouraged by the overwhelming response, noting that about 1,100 men attended the event, with approximately 900 receiving various health services.

“I was encouraged to witness an estimated 1,100 men turn up to the event, with around 900 taking charge of their health by accessing a wide range of free services, including diabetes and hypertension screening, general medical consultation, urology review, cancer screening, TB screening and chest X-ray services, eye, dental and ENT care, physical disability assessment, mental health counselling, as well as health education, financial literacy and legal awareness sessions,” he said.

Dr. Kahiga urged men to remain proactive in safeguarding their health, emphasizing that seeking medical care should be viewed as a sign of responsibility rather than weakness.

He encouraged men to continue attending future medical camps, saying preventive healthcare, early diagnosis and timely treatment significantly improve health outcomes.

“Health should always be valued above all things. Seeking healthcare is a sign of strength, responsibility and leadership,” he said.

The Governor also thanked all partners, healthcare workers, volunteers and sponsors who contributed to the success of the event through financial support, technical expertise and provision of medical services.

“The turnout reaffirmed that when we deliberately bring services closer to our people and create a welcoming environment, our men are willing to seek care and embrace healthy lifestyles. I commend every man who attended for demonstrating courage and responsibility by prioritizing his health. As the County Government of Nyeri, we shall continue investing in innovative health promotion initiatives that encourage preventive healthcare, early screening and timely treatment,” he added.

The second edition of the camp builds on the success of a similar event held in August last year, during which health experts challenged men to embrace positive health-seeking behaviour after research showed that only about 30 percent of men in the county sought medical care at the appropriate time.

Findings from a 2023 study conducted by the Nyeri County Department of Health revealed that many men delayed seeking medical attention until illnesses had advanced or complications had developed.

The study also established that men accounted for about 85 percent of suicide cases reported in the county, highlighting the growing burden of mental health challenges among the male population.

In addition, eight out of every 10 cancer cases recorded during the period under review involved male patients, underscoring the need for regular screening and early detection.

According to Deborah Kioko, an officer with Amref Health Africa working under the THRIVE Project, data collected from health facilities across Nyeri showed that men remained reluctant to access healthcare services despite increasing awareness campaigns.

She observed that while women generally sought treatment during the early stages of illness, nearly 70 percent of men only visited health facilities after their conditions had worsened or developed into serious complications.

“Approximately 30 percent of men were able to access the services that we previously provided and that is a low number. When we look at the challenges that men are experiencing in Nyeri, especially mental health, issues to do with urology and even accessing services that touch on non-communicable diseases including hypertension and diabetes, the findings show that men have not been creating time to get screened,” she said.

Kioko noted that Amref Health Africa, through support from the Modern Foundation, would continue partnering with the Nyeri County Government to expand male-focused outreach clinics beyond Nyeri Central Sub-county.

She said quarterly medical camps would also be conducted in Mukurwe-ini, Mathira East and Nyeri South sub-counties over the next year to improve access to healthcare services for men.

“We have decided to hold the clinics in Mukurwe-ini, Mathira East and Nyeri South on a quarterly basis for the next one year so that we can provide services to all of the men and be able to address some of their health concerns,” she added.

Nyeri Central Sub-county Health Officer Grace Mwangi said the county’s research had shown that many men preferred receiving treatment in private settings where they felt more comfortable discussing sensitive health issues.

She said the men-only medical camps had demonstrated that creating male-friendly environments significantly improved attendance and encouraged more men to seek preventive healthcare services.

“This in-reach is an eye-opener that men do not want to mix with women or children and they prefer men-only medical camps. Looking at the turnout today, men have actually left behind what they normally do to come and get screened because they knew that the camp was specially set up for them and they would get the privacy they are always looking for,” she said.

Mwangi noted that mental health remained one of the biggest concerns affecting men in the county, prompting the department to integrate psychosocial support and counselling into the medical camp.

“Men are suffering with many issues that they are not able to articulate and that is why you find most of the mental health-related issues we are witnessing in our sub-counties are actually among the male gender. That is why we have incorporated mental health education so that they can articulate their issues and know that there is a way out and where they can seek help,” she said.

By Samuel Maina