NAIROBI, Kenya, August 5 – Global healthcare firm Viatris has launched a new awareness campaign across Africa aimed at encouraging men to seek medical help for erectile dysfunction (ED), a condition that health experts say is often linked to broader health problems.
Dubbed “EmpowerED for Life,” the campaign targets stigma associated with ED, promotes accurate information, and urges early diagnosis and treatment. It will be rolled out in Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, and South Africa through digital media, outreach events, and healthcare partnerships.
During the launch webinar, attended by health professionals, policymakers, and advocates, speakers underscored ED’s connection to other conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, depression, and obesity.
ED affects up to 65% of men in some African populations, with 85% not seeking treatment, according to research cited during the event. Experts say this is due to stigma, limited access to care, and widespread misinformation.
“ED is often a warning sign of deeper health issues and can severely affect a man’s well-being,” said Dr. Nnabugwu Ikenna Ifeanyi, a urologist and Associate Professor at the University of Nigeria. “However, due to social stigma and myths, most cases go undiagnosed and untreated.”
The initiative also raises concerns about the increasing use of unregulated ED treatments across the continent, which pose risks due to lack of clinical oversight.
Viatris said the campaign will focus on public education, professional training, and community-level interventions, with an emphasis on urban and rural populations.
