The medic’s role on women’s health, development

Thus medical personnel, particularly medics (doctors), have a crucial role to play in their lives.It is also vital for women to have access to health care personnel and adequate health facilities. A healthy woman finds  it easier to access and protect  her rights, as well as become economically empowered and participate in decision making and […]

Thus medical personnel, particularly medics (doctors), have a crucial role to play in their lives.
It is also vital for women to have access to health care personnel and adequate health facilities. A healthy woman finds  it easier to access and protect  her rights, as well as become economically empowered and participate in decision making and other processes.
According to Dr Ogugua Osi-Ogbu,  a Consultant physician and geriatrician, “medical personnel can contribute to sustaining the health of women, their education and subsequently their robust contribution to the development of the society.”
Speaking during a recent summit tagged “Women an endangered specie –the role of medics,” organized by the Nigerian Medical Students Association (NIMSA) in Abuja recently, Sr. Osi-Ogbu said factors contributing to women as endangered species  include:
Poverty with consequent poor access to health care, specific medical conditions like maternal mortality saying that  Nigeria contributes 30 percent to the maternal mortality rate but this can be prevented.
She said another factor is gender based violence like rape, sexual harassment, partner violence, psychological abuse, and incest among others.
Others include death by breast and cervical cancers, mental health issues including suicide, cultural beliefs and social pressures, workplace unfriendly to family oriented women and stereotyping of females by the society.
The doctor said in order to properly play their roles on women’s health, medical personnel should not just limit their studies and knowledge to that of just medicine but they need to read widely , listen to news and know things in other areas.
“We need to be better informed about issues to help people better. There is a lot we can do as medical people not just in the communities but also using the media , live radio or Television,’ she said.
Osi-Ogbu advised medics to do the following to play their roles on women’s health:
Be aware and interested in issues on women’s health.
Ensure best practices for treatment of conditions.
Screening for gender based violence and cancers.
Be advocates for women and girls issues like girl child education, family oriented workplace to community leaders, policy makers, government  among others.
Hold health promotion campaigns at community level and within the hospital.
Collaborate with initiatives on development partners on women’s health.
In his contribution President of Nigeria Medical Association, Dr Lawrence Obembe, said the promotion of women and girl child is promotion of  family and nationhood.
Represented by  Dr Titus Ibekwe, Dr Obembe said ensuring women’s health is key as it is part of the millennium development goals.
Nigerian Medical Students Association (NIMSA) President Eche Ugochukwu said  women are a special breed and need extra care , adding that many of them however still suffer from violence targeted at them, abuse of their reproductive and marriage rights, and harmful traditional practices that affect their health.
He said medics are among stakeholders who can help address the challenges facing women in the country and called for the passage of laws that will protect women’s health rights.
Also speaking, a  women’s advocate, Judith  Akpan, said medics should not see their roles on women’s health as just treating them of diseases but should include educating them on prevention and having regular health check, in addition to teaching them proper life style and health habits when they visit.
While calling for the integration of gender considerations into health intervention and programmes in the country, she advised women to have personal or family doctors they can easily call  for assistance or seek enlightenment from.