<p>To identify the barriers faced by healthcare professionals when delivering care to male patients diagnosed with type-2 diabetes mellitus and highlight strategies for care improvement in those who were affected by the illness and its associated erectile dysfunction. The data were collected using a qualitative approach with focused group discussions. The data were then analysed using open and focused coding within the framework of Charmaz’s constructivist grounded theory. Purposive sampling was employed to recruit 19 participants, including nine general practitioners, eight nurses, and two nutritionists, sourced from public-primary health services in Surabaya, Indonesia. The COREQ guidelines were followed to ensure study rigour. “Setting ED aside” and “Proposing strategies” <i> emerged as the primary categories. </i>“Setting ED aside” explains the reasons why healthcare professionals tend to avoid discussing erectile dysfunction with their male participants. Factors include lack of confidence, time and space constraints, societal taboos, and men’s preferences. The second category, “Proposing strategies,” illuminates the ideas shared by healthcare professionals to increase the uptake of erectile dysfunction screening among male patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus. The sensitive nature of erectile dysfunction is a significant barrier that needs to be addressed. Lack of privacy and understaffing were also mentioned as barriers to the discussion. Strategies such as health campaigns, staff training, and resourcing healthcare facilities can provide a possible solution.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>