Call for urgent reforms to uphold women's health rights
As the world observes the International Day of Action for Women's Health on May 28, doctors and healthcare advocates spotlight the deeply entrenched disparities in healthcare access that women face.
They detail that dismissed menstrual pain, barriers to contraception, and delayed cancer diagnoses are just some of the silent battles that many women are fighting daily.
Dr Moratwe Masima, a Johannesburg-based medical doctor and fervent advocate for women's health, has made it her mission to fight against these injustices.
'I see it every day. Women suffering in silence. Women normalising pain. Women who've been told to be strong for so long they forget they're allowed to ask for help.'
Masima's commitment to women's health mirrors the sentiments echoed by Justine Lacy, Clinical Executive at Profmed, who calls for a radical rethinking of priorities concerning women's healthcare.
On this day of global action, the focus is squarely on the unmet health needs of women and girls, especially in terms of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).
It is revealed that in South Africa, countless women still lack access to essential healthcare services, from basic contraception to cancer screenings and mental health support, despite protections enshrined in the constitution. The global theme resonates with urgency: 'Our voices, our actions, our demand: Uphold women's health and rights now.'
Masima further highlights that women's reproductive health should not be viewed as a luxury but as a fundamental human right. 'When women can't access safe contraception, face delays in abortions, or have their menstrual pain dismissed, we're denying them dignity and choice,' she asserts.
It is stated that the statistics are stark; South Africa's maternal mortality rate remains alarmingly high, reflecting systemic issues in the healthcare system.
Moreover, many women are still unable to access quality mental healthcare, and taboos surrounding infertility, postpartum depression, and menopause continue to silence women in their most vulnerable moments.
Masima also believes in addressing the complete health spectrum of women, stating, 'We need to talk about the whole woman. These are not separate issues; they're deeply connected.'
Masima underscores the importance of prevention, noting that delaying a check-up can lead to severe health consequences and even more costly treatment in the long-run.
Lacy asserts that medical cover must evolve to meet the comprehensive needs of women's health, spanning from adolescence through menopause.
'Women's health journeys don't begin and end with pregnancy,' she emphasises.
She says a comprehensive medical aid cover should include annual check-ups, contraception, fertility support, mental health services, and menopause-related care, whilst ensuring that women can access benefits without facing unnecessary barriers.
Lacy notes that often women are unsure about their coverage or are apprehensive about out-of-pocket costs, creating additional hurdles to proper care. Profmed is committed to improving benefit designs that readily reflect the lived realities of women.
'Women are navigating their health while building careers and raising families. We take that seriously,' she explains, highlighting the importance of tailored care that evolves with women's needs.
However, Lacy calls for collective responsibility from the broader healthcare industry, urging all sectors to genuinely listen to the challenges women articulate. 'If we want to offer real support, we have to design benefits that reflect women's real lives,' she stresses.
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