Kampekete Rural Health Centre’s old wing has been declared a centre of excellence for men’s health, to provide comprehensive health services for men in Chongwe district.The declaration was made by Chongwe District Health Director Dr Mweene Nseluke, who said the decision was arrived at after realising the poor health seeking behaviours of men in the Manyika area of the district.

He said that this Centre of excellence for men’s health would encourage men to seek medical services in a secure and private environment offering quick and dedicated services.

“So, after the Ministry of Health constructed a new facility at Kampekete rural health Centre, we decided to convert the old wing which needs minor renovations into a centre of excellence for men’s health in the district and it will have a doctor stationed there, and specialists will be visiting from Levy Mwanawasa University Hospital,” he said.

Dr Nseluke said that once operational, Kampekete Men’s Clinic will go a long way in addressing the poor health-seeking behaviours among men in Chongwe district by offering quicker and more dedicated health services for men.

“Men usually cite their busy schedule for failure to seek medical attention. But when you tell a man that we will fast-track your services, men will be attracted to visit the clinic. We felt that if we name a facility as a centre of excellence for men’s health, men will easily walk in without being prejudged and will be seen by health specialists faster and frequently,” he added.

Meanwhile, Lusaka Provincial Health Office Men’s Clinics Coordinator Dr Enock Musukuma has commended Chongwe District Health Office for declaring Kampekete Clinic a centre of excellence for men’s health. He noted that once operational, Kampekete Men’s Clinic will be the largest men’s clinic in Lusaka Province.

“Of all the Men’s Clinics we have, it is the only one that will be able to provide in-patient services. So, we will have selected rooms that will be transformed into wards for men who are admitted,” Dr Musukuma explained.

CIDRZ has been supporting the Ministry of Health in promoting Men’s Clinics as an innovative strategy to promote health-seeking behaviours and attract men to health facilities.