An Advocacy Seminar on “Rights Based Approached to Reproductive Health” was organized by Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) in collaboration with Reproductive Health Steering Committee and AAHUNG (an NGO working in the field of Reproductive health) recently at Dow Medical College, Karachi. This one day seminar was preceded by three day Hands-on workshop on “Holistic Management on Reproductive tract Infection”. The seminar was focused on the role of Gynaecologists, Paediatricians, Endocrinologists, Psychiatrist, Behavioral Scientists, Sex Educators and Counselor.
Chief Guest, Prof. Musarat Hussain Consultant Psychiatrist and Former Director JPMC said that to effectively address the Reproductive problems integrated rights based approach is necessary that draws on the fields of health, ethics and Socio-medical syndromes. He also said that appropriate changes to existing undergraduate curricula will facilitate integration of the principles of reproductive health and the new philosophy of doctor-patient relationship into clinical supervision and training of students and future health care providers. A new model of reproductive health care delivery is unfolding, driven by emerging health issues, expanding technology and increasing public expectations. Additional imperatives in service provision for women’s health compel reforms to undergraduate medical education using reproductive health as the basis for restructuring curriculum contents. He also said that Training and supporting of health care providers is vital because training curricula of reproductive rights typically stress respect for clients, confidentiality, informed consent, autonomous decision-making, quality of care, and avoiding bias.
He further said that the concept of advocacy in this special subject which is often coloured with myths and misperceptions based on stigma, shame and guilty. The dismissal of these concepts is the primary objectives of the seminar.
Guest of Honour, Prof. Umer Farooq, Pro-VC DUHS and Principal SMC said that Reproductive Health is a neglected topic. Until now Reproductive Health is thought to be a taboo. There is a common believe that doctor do not have the scope of this disease treatment. Training and supporting of health care providers is vital because training curricula of reproductive rights typically stress respect for clients, confidentiality, informed consent, autonomous decision-making, quality of care, and avoiding bias.
There is need to upraised healthcare professionals about the correct approach to Patient with reproductive health problems and recent development which is very important. We should teach and train our students the things which are relative to our indigenous health issues,” he added.
Dr. Zaman Shaikh Director National Institute of Diabetes & Endocrinology briefed the participants about the objectives of the seminar. He said that there is need to raise awareness and understanding of key Reproductive & Sexual Health challenges, secondly there is need to sensitize the faculty members and other health care professionals on the benefits of integration of Reproductive & sexual Health component in undergraduate medical education and thirdly need to develop an action plan for the implementation of future strategies.
Aappropriate changes to existing undergraduate curricula will facilitate integration of the principles of reproductive health and the new philosophy of doctor-patient relationship into clinical supervision and training of students and future health care providers.
Dr. Subhan Tayyab Chairperson Department of Gynaecology & Obstetrics delivered her talk on Why Reproductive Health? Key Challenges (Improving the Skills of Future Health Care Provider). He said that Reproductive health is internationally (WHO) defined as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease in all matters relating to the sexual & reproductive system and to its functions and processes.
In Pakistan, with 60% of the population living in rural areas, it was estimated that the vast majority among them never received any kind of medical attention during pregnancy, childbirth or sickness.
Each year, millions of women become pregnant. 50 million women worldwide develop complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Out of which Half a million women die from complications of pregnancy and childbirth. In Pakistan, one in every 38 women die from pregnancy related causes
Dr. Sikandar Sohrani of AHUNG said that there is need of Enhancing scope and improving quality of Reproductive health (information, education and health) services and Advocating for an enabling environment where Reproductive Rights are respected, protected and fulfilled
Them highlighted the need to address some important aspects of reproductive and sexual health, including maternal care and safe motherhood; family planning; prevention and management of infertility; prenatal, infant and child healthcare; social, cultural and behavioural factors; and control of reproductive-tract infections and early screening for malignancies; human sexuality, gender relations, sexually-transmitted diseases, HIV and psycho-social aspects of the diseases.
Prof. Aisha Mehnaz, Chairperson of Dept of Paediatrics, DUHS said that Healthcare provider need capacity building in management of sexual and reproductive health. Aspect of sexual health need to be included in medical curriculum.
Others who spoke on the occasion includes Prof. Qazi Irshad, Dr. Sabeen Naz & Prof. Sadiqua Jaffery, Chairperson Dept of Obs/Gynae, Ziauddin University.
Later on, the speakers and the participants held a panel discussion in which all of them agreed that the new curriculum module on reproductive and sexual health would enable doctors to communicate with their patients comfortably and take sexual history with a sense of competence.
Earlier, the seminar concluded with vote of thanks and certificate distribution distributions.