From Awareness to Action: Dr. Yuri Oketch on Men’s Health and Breaking Stigma
For many, Movember is all about beards and moustaches sprouting across social media feeds and office boardrooms. For Dr. Yuri Oketch, Country Medical Director at AHN Kenya, it’s a lifeline — a way to bring attention to some of the most silent yet pressing health issues men face. At 38, he sees firsthand how physical and mental well-being are inseparably linked, and how stigma and societal expectations prevent men from seeking care early.
Spotlight on Men’s Health
Movember casts a vital light on men’s cancers; prostate, testicular, and even male breast cancer. These androgenic-related cancers are a significant health battlefront, but the war for men’s wellness extends far beyond the physical.
Dr. Yuri emphasizes that mental health is just as critical.
I’ve seen the shadow in a man’s eyes as he mentally calculates the cost of treatment against his family’s needs. The pressure to be a provider doesn’t pause for cancer. The fear, financial strain, and stigma that accompany a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. Men often feel they’re failing on all fronts.”
Breaking the Silence
Why do so many men delay seeking help? Dr. Yuri notes a combination of societal pressure and relentless drive.
Men are conditioned to appear indestructible, prioritizing work, wealth, and provision over their own health. Routine check-ups can feel like admissions of weakness.
We spend our prime years grinding, providing, and building, often at the complete expense of our own well-being. We mistakenly think the greatest gift we can give our families is wealth, forgetting that the most valuable asset we have is our own health.”
He explains that this drive to appear strong often leads to late-stage disease that is harder to treat.
Integrating Mental Health Into Care
The solution, he argues, lies partly in healthcare itself. Providers can, and must normalize mental health discussions during routine check-ups, workplace forums, and community events.
We must create safe, judgment-free avenues where men can speak openly. Seeking help should feel like an act of strength, not weakness,” he says.
Movember: Shifting Attitudes, One Conversation at a Time
Awareness campaigns like Movember are changing the conversation. The “No Shave November” tradition has made men’s health visible, but Dr. Yuri stresses the importance of sustained effort beyond a single month.
We need intentional programs from government, civil society, and employers that support men’s physical and mental health year-round.”
RELATED: Evans Kabaka on Manhood, Mental Health, and the Meaning of Movember
Making Healthcare Male-Friendly
To make the system more approachable, Dr. Yuri suggests meeting men where they are by offering free screenings at workplaces, churches, and community gatherings, and training health workers to engage without judgment.
A Message for Men This Movember
You are only truly useful to those you love if you are healthy, both physically and mentally. Book that check-up, prioritize your well-being, and silence the stigma.”
Movember, he reminds us, isn’t just about moustaches. It’s about life, presence, and care, for oneself and for those who depend on you.
