Main photo: Pregnant positive women © Nell Freeman for the Alliance.
The neglect of men in planning for reproductive health and their negligence in accompanying women to health facilities is putting them at a higher risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) and other diseases, a maternal health advocate has expressed.
Ms. Riisa Kauzya the Executive Director of Action for Reproductive Health, a maternal health advocacy organisation, says with low male involvement in reproductive issues and government not incorporating them in the general health planning they are risking both their lives and those of their loved ones.
She says many men are shying away from health units when their wives visit for medical check ups, mainly when pregnant. With women getting screenings for many diseases including HIV, cancer and other infections, men end up getting nothing, she says.
“Men themselves fail to go to health units to accompany their wives for even antenatal [care]. Women have very many incentives they get at health visits which men do not get and yet no one is talking for men, their reproductive health gets at a risk every day, and what is worrying is that they spread these diseases to women, women are treated and they remain with them.” Ms. Kauzya said.
She was speaking during the launch of the Action for Reproductive Health Project in Ntungamo.
The project looks at sensitizing communities, mothers, fathers and health workers in rural areas to reduce maternal and child mortality particularly through male involvement.
She says more men need to be brought to the board to understand maternal health problems and accompany mothers to health units for prenatal and antenatal visits.
Ms. Kauzya also says government needs to plan for men’s health needs and provide free services and medical attention, attention which they give to maternal health planning to strengthen the effort against more women dying in labour and after giving birth, and reducing risk to their children.
The Action for Reproductive Health project in Ntungamo district shall operate in Nyabihoko Sub County with sensitization and facilitation of maternal health service givers, mainly midwives, and to encourage fathers to become more directly involvement in maternal health issues.