Johannesburg: Viatris launches africa-wide campaign to tackle erectile dysfunction and men’s Health stigma

Viatris has launched a continent-wide campaign, EmpowerED for Life, to raise awareness about erectile dysfunction (ED), break cultural taboos, and connect men with safe, professional healthcare.

Johannesburg, South Africa August 12, 2025, Global healthcare company Viatris is taking aim at one of Africa’s most under-discussed health challenges: erectile dysfunction. The newly launched EmpowerED for Life initiative seeks to transform ED from a taboo subject into an entry point for better men’s health.

ED is not just a sexual health concern, it is often a warning sign for conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, obesity, depression, and anxiety. The British Journal of Urology International projects that 322 million men worldwide will be affected by ED by 2025.

In Africa, the prevalence is striking. Nigerian studies report rates as high as 58.9%, while Ghana sees nearly two-thirds of men affected. Yet an estimated 85% of African men with ED never seek medical help, often turning instead to unsafe, unregulated treatments.

“Stigma prevents many men from getting the care they deserve,” said Arvind Kanda, Viatris Head of India & Access Markets. “We’re here to change that through open dialogue, evidence-based care, and accessible health solutions.”

The campaign will run in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, and South Africa, using digital media, community outreach, healthcare provider partnerships, and professional education to reach men and their partners. Its four pillars, Awareness, Education, Engagement, and Empowerment aim to reduce stigma, improve access to treatment, and strengthen medical support for men’s sexual health.

Urologist Dr. Shingai Mutambirwa stressed the urgency: “ED is often dismissed as a private matter, but it can be an early warning sign for serious diseases. Addressing it early can save lives.”

By confronting the silence surrounding ED, EmpowerED for Life aims to ensure no man suffers alone and to put men’s health firmly on Africa’s public health agenda.