Erectile dysfunction (ED), a condition often overlooked and stigmatized in Africa due to widespread misinformation, affects millions of men across the continent.
To address this critical public health issue, a webinar dedicated to men’s sexual health in Africa was held on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, aiming to raise awareness and break down taboos.
The session was organized by the pharmaceutical group Viatris as part of its “EmpowerED for Life” initiative. The event convened five experts from various African countries and representatives from the pharmaceutical industry.
According to the speakers, the pervasive nature of this problem often leads men to seek unsafe and potentially dangerous alternative treatments. A primary objective of the webinar was to dismantle the societal taboo surrounding erectile dysfunction in Africa. This event coincided with the launch of the French-language edition of “EmpowerED for Life,” a bold Viatris initiative designed to raise awareness about ED, challenge preconceived notions, and promote access to safe, medically sound solutions.
The webinar successfully worked to deconstruct common misconceptions about ED, emphasizing the crucial importance of early diagnosis, comprehensive psychological support, and equitable access to appropriate treatments.
Professor Papa Ahmed Fall, Head of the Department of Urology and Andrology at Dalal Jamm Hospital in Dakar, Senegal, highlighted that “stigma and lack of information” are significant barriers preventing many men from seeking necessary medical help.
His sentiments were echoed by Professor Benjamin Kouamé, Deputy Head of the Urology Department at Cocody University Hospital in Abidjan, who stressed “the need for rigorous clinical support.”
Furthermore, Mr. Aubin Yao Koffi, a health economist and country director of the International High Commission in Côte d’Ivoire, shed light on the considerable economic and social consequences of neglecting erectile dysfunction.
Mr. Arvind Shankar Kanda, Head of Access Markets at Viatris for Africa and India, reaffirmed his organization’s commitment to facilitating access to care in sub-Saharan Africa by proposing effective solutions for this often-unaddressed health concern.
AP/Sf/fss/abj/APA