Insights into male urology

Dr Tyeni Joseph Ndemuula is one of Namibia's few specialist urologists who is actively involved in the advancement of urological health for both men and women.

Ndemuula, who currently resides in Ongwediva, matriculated from Immanuel Shifidi Secondary School. He went on to obtain his undergraduate degree in medicine at the Ryazan IP Pavlov Medical University in Russia. He then completed his Masters of Medicine in urology at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College in Tanzania.

He considers his greatest achievement to be the opportunity to contribute to the betterment of other people.

"I have had and continue to have people in my life who have been and continue to be gracious enough to share their knowledge and skills in the science of medicine, either through their live teachings or the books they wrote."



Crucial services

A urologist focuses on the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder and male sexual organs, as well as circumcision, removal of damaged kidneys, prostate procedures, ureter repair and kidney stone removal, among other things.

Additionally, Ndemuula does hypospadias repair, hydrocelectomy, posterior urethral valve ablation, cyctolithotomy, cystoscopy, resection of urinary bladder masses and urethral stricture repairs.

He provides these and other services under his northern-based private practice, Muula Healthcare Practice.

He said he meets people of various ages on a daily basis, including babies, adolescents, teenagers, adults and the elderly - both male and female - diagnosing and treating many illnesses, either medically or surgically.

He is the business' owner.

"On paper, my company was registered in 2022. However, it was operational as of May 2023."

He said he started this business after receiving insight from his senior doctors at Oshakati State Hospital, who stressed the need for urologists and encouraged him to look into specialising in it.

"After careful consideration, I chose urology, where my impact could be maximised due to the limited number of urologists in the country at the time, particularly in the northern part of the country."



Men's health

In Namibia, men's health is frequently disregarded and underestimated, which has long-term consequences for their sexual and reproductive health.

He explained in detail: "Male sexual organs (penis, which has a longer urethra than women, and a prostate) predispose males to urethral stenosis, which can lead to kidney difficulties. The prostate, which swells with age, can potentially cause issues passing urine. As they age, the same prostate can develop cancer".

Additionally, according to Ndeemuula, there are a few urological disorders in children that he has regularly seen in Namibia's northern regions that require prompt attention, including undescended testicles, hydrocele, hypospadias and urinary tract stones.

"And the most dangerous one, posterior urethral valve, which is associated with kidney harm if not treated."

One of the main reasons why men reject receiving healthcare is because of a culture of resistance to receiving healthcare, toxic masculinity and a lack of health literacy, he said.

"This is information that is not always accessible to men, and the sad reality about men is that they never feel comfortable enough to seek help, preferring to suffer in silence and wait until the last minute.

"Men seek healthcare less frequently than women,” he noted.

"Perhaps the fact that there is a doctor dedicated to male healthcare will motivate them to come in for consultations."

Ndemuula's practice is located close to the Oshakati State Hospital at the Pama Pharmacy Complex, and he urges people, particularly men, to come by and seek medical care.