In September, 40 health care workers, health care promoters and facility staff from the Michael Mapongwana Midwife Obstetrics Unit (MOU) attended an interactive dialogue about the MenCare+ program, which has been working closely with the clinic to increase the number of men engaged in maternal and child health (MCH).
Participants were divided into small groups and provided with self-administered questionnaires that addressed male involvement in MCH and sexual and reproductive health. Their responses informed action charts, which explored what could be done to better facilitate access to services and the inclusion of men on an individual, facility and provincial level. The action charts also aided to highlight what is already being done effectively concerning male involvement within the clinic, as well as to provide practical ideas for moving forward. MenCare+ South Africa will continue to work with the Michael Mapongwana MOU clinic to carry on the dialogue around male involvement, and to serve as a referral source for parenting groups and IPV counseling.