The Kabaka of Buganda His Highness Ronald Mwenda Mutebi II has urged men to focus on good health, and take a centre stage in the fight to end AIDS. He said men are STARS in communities and good health must start with them.
He also urged men to test and know their HIV status because he doesn’t want anyone to die of ignorance.
The Kabaka’s message is included in his statement released ahead of the World Aids Day tomorrow December, 4th.
The Kabaka who is also the UNAIDS Ambassador in the fight against AIDS in Eastern and Southern Africa said community health starts with men but there are few programs directly targeting men and boys’ good health.
He said men and boys in Buganda make up the biggest percentage of deaths due to Tuberculosis, Prostate Cancer, Liver failure and Hypertension, and therefore bringing them into the national response to HIV/AIDS and public health is priority.
He said there is need to break the barrier of non male engagement in order to reduce new infections, and that was the reason why his focus is good health for men to ensure healthy families. He said he is happy men are taking medical tests, but called for collaborative efforts to get the job done.