Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN) Executive Director George Jobe has called for stronger and more targeted HIV interventions for men, warning that they remain the most difficult group to reach in the country’s HIV response efforts.
In an interview with Nthanda Times, Jobe described the trend as worrying and urged health authorities to prioritize strategies that address the unique barriers faced by men.
“Men in this country are still avoiding health facilities and seldom attend community health meetings. This makes it much harder for them to know their HIV status or start treatment early,” he said.
He explained that unlike women, who have multiple entry points into the health system, including mandatory HIV testing during pregnancy, men have no routine health touchpoints, resulting in delayed diagnosis and late initiation of treatment.
Jobe added that current sensitization approaches often fail to reach men because they are usually absent from community gatherings where health workers deliver key messages.
He has since urged government and partners to adopt male-targeted outreach strategies that bring services directly to men.
“We need to reach men in workplaces, farms, fishing camps and other male-dominated areas. Taking services to them is the only practical way to close the gap in HIV testing and treatment uptake,” he stressed.
The health rights advocate further noted that improving men’s health-seeking behavior is essential if Malawi is to achieve its HIV treatment and prevention goals.