Women's health under the scanner

More than 500,000 women are estimated to die every year of pregnancy-related causes, said an eminent physician in Abu Dhabi.

This was one of several startling facts about women's health brought to light at Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists' (RCOG) eighth International Scientific Meeting in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

Dr Tony Falconer, the RCOG's Senior Vice-President – International Office, outlined problems such as maternal mortality, morbidity and cervical cancer, highlighting the urgent need for commitment to improve women's health care.

"Women also lack access to wider health care services. The absence of cervical screening in most countries highlights the global difficulties in introducing proven public health strategies. The death rate from cervical cancer remains an underappreciated problem in many parts of the world."

While the resolution of these problems is complex, solutions and strategies exist. Dr Falconer discussed the work of the RCOG International Office (RCOGIO).

"A key causal factor in maternal deaths is the lack of skilled carers, who are needed to assess and treat life-threatening complications of pregnancy. The RCOG Life Saving Skills course provides training in essential obstetric care for midwives, clinical officers, medical assistants and doctors working in resource-poor settings. To date the RCOGIO has trained 678 health workers around the world."

Dr Nick Panay, consultant gynaecologist at Queen Charlotte's Chelsea and Chelsea & Westminster Hospitals in London, said Premature Ovarian Failure affects one per cent of young women under the age of 40.

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