Women in the medical profession and women's health

Abstract

In this exploration of the role of women in enhancing health it is noted that health involves the entire social welfare of a population or of individuals and not just the medical treatment of disease. The concept of health has thus expanded to include prevention of ill-health removal of health risks and the promotion of health. In this regard women provide an invaluable contribution in informal health care especially through their work in their households providing food fuel and water. Women also constitute the majority of health workers in the formal health care sector but very few women hold positions of authority even in countries where the majority of doctors are women. A major reason for this is that opportunities for advanced training are not given to women. As health consumers women are also at a disadvantage in developing countries where discriminatory treatment places them at a disadvantage which is exacerbated by their special reproductive needs. right to health is violated in many ways. Women die or suffer chronic ill-health related to childbirth and pregnancy AIDS presents tragic problems whether the woman suffers from it herself or provides care for sick and surviving family members gynecological and breast cancers proceed undetected mental illness goes untreated disabled women are further victimized by rape and violence and quality health care is absent. In response to this situation the Medical International Association (MWIA) which was founded in 1919 in New York promotes health for all with a particular emphasis on women. MWIA is a professional body of medical women whose purpose is to incorporate the needs of women as health providers and consumers. The MWIA is divided into 8 regions and holds international congresses every 3 years. The next congress will be held in May 1995 and will consider Womens Health in a Changing World.