Wednesday 24 / April / 2024
While people across the globe celebrate the 70th anniversary of World Health Day, which goes by the theme #HealthForAll, irrespective of class, caste, creed, colour, race or gender, we need to know that men’s and women’s health cannot be considered as the same with regard to issues, solutions, treatments, vulnerability, and more, although both men and women should have equal access to a healthy livelihood.
Given the difference in anatomy, it comes as no surprise that men and women will have different issues and need to be treated differently. Just because women enjoy higher life expectancy than men, it would be wrong to assume that they lead healthier lives than men. Women are prone to a whole range of health problems and in many cases are at a greater risk of contracting certain diseases than men. However, Dr Kanchana Rajan from Muscat Private Hospital says, “Women in general could be healthier than men because of their lifestyle. It looks as though women are healthier than men as they keep themselves more busy and active, mainly because they have children, house work and jobs,” she said. The main health issues that women face globally include:
Cancer: Breast cancer and cervical cancer are very common health problems among women. In fact, according to research conducted by WHO, around half a million women die from cervical cancer and half a million from breast cancer each year. Early detection is the key to survival in such cases. Regular check-ups, leading a healthy lifestyle, and general awareness are important to prevent and cure such lethal diseases.
HIV: This sexually transmitted disease has taken many young women’s lives over the last three decades. There are new HIV infections that are infecting young women each year and it is imperative to protect yourself from the virus. Other transmitted diseases such as gonorrhoea, chlamydia and syphilis are also common among women.
Maternal Health: Women across the globe die from complications in pregnancy due to inaccessibility to health care facilities and treatment. In Oman, too, high-risk pregnancy is one of the major problems faced by women. “High risk pregnancy is common among expatriates. They can’t be admitted to ministry hospitals unless there is an emergency and private hospitals don’t have great infrastructure,” said Dr Kanchana.
Non-communicable diseases: According to World Health Organisation, in 2012, some 4.7 million women died from non-communicable diseases before they reached the age of 70. Road accidents, substance abuse, and obesity were some of the issues. In Oman, gestational diabetes is a major health concern. “Diabetes is a problem, which is present in many of the cities. Incidents of gestational diabetes are also quiet high among women because of their lifestyle,” she said.
Dr Kanchana has urged the women in Oman to avoid certain common mistakes that could have an effect on their lives. “With the mushrooming number of polyclinics and hospitals, women try jumping from one clinic to another. It would be best if they stay in one clinic and finish their treatment there,” she said, adding, “If they have been prescribed medicines by doctors, they should complete the course and not discontinue the medication. For better health, pre-pregnancy nutrition is a must. They should try not to put on more weight before pregnancy. They then become prone to gestational diabetes because nutrition equals health.”
Universal Health Coverage: Everyone, Everywhere
The World Health Organisation was founded on the principle that all people should be able to realise their right to the highest possible level of health.
“Health for all” has therefore been the guiding vision of WHO for more than seven decades. It’s also the impetus behind the current organisation-wide drive to support countries in moving towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
So WHO is calling on world leaders to live up to the pledges they made when they agreed the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015, and commit to concrete steps to advance the health of all people. This means ensuring that everyone, everywhere can access essential quality health services without facing financial hardship.
The organisation will maintain a high-profile focus on UHC via a series of events through 2018, starting on World Health Day on April 7 with global and local conversations about ways to achieve health for all.
Why universal health coverage matters?
In recent decades, UHC has emerged as a key strategy to make progress towards other health-related and broader development goals. Access to essential quality care and financial protection not only enhances people’s health and life expectancy, it also protects countries from epidemics, reduces poverty and the risk of hunger, creates jobs, drives economic growth and enhances gender equality.
What World Health Day can do?
Some countries have already made significant progress towards universal health coverage. But half the world’s population is still unable to obtain the health services they need. If countries are to achieve the target, one billion more people need to benefit from UHC by 2023.
World Health Day will shine a spotlight on the need for UHC — and the advantages it can bring. WHO and its partners will share examples of steps to take to get there through a series of events and conversations held at multiple levels. (Courtesy: World Health Organisation)
