Imbizo in Devon aims to empower men
The event created a platform for men to discuss health and social issues.
A Men’s Health Awareness Campaign was held at the Impumelelo Community Hall in Devon on November 24.
November was Men’s Health Awareness Month and the purpose of the event was to bring men together and create a platform for men to discuss health and social issues affecting them and also to establish a men’s sector in Devon.
The issues included prostate cancer, HIV/Aids, TB and gender-based violence.
The organisers and sponsors of the event were Lesedi Men Sector, SAMAG, SAMHC, Anova Health, Anova Health4Men, Department of Health (Health Promotion) and Lesedi Municipality (community services).
SANCA Heidelberg presented a talk about substance abuse.
The community felt that SANCA still need to educate the communities more about their programmes.
Warrant Officer Sibongile Ndlela from Devon SAPS presented a sensitive discussion about GBV.
Ndlela explained that GBV affects everyone and happens mostly at home where men are affected as well.
A few types of abuse and the differences discussed included physical, economic, sexual and social media abuse.
Ndlela encouraged the men to report cases of abuse against them.
Lawrence Mamabolo from Anova Health Institute encouraged men to take care of their health and that they should regularly attend health care centres to check the status of their health.
Mamabolo said that the Department of Health formulated the programme ‘Mina’, meaning ‘me’, to encourage men to go to clinics.
Health checks and knowing your health status are important subjects. Various questions were raised by the community and will be dealt with soon.
Health screening services were available for men to check their health status with the help of the ANOVA Health Institute mobile clinic and Usizolwethu Clinic.
