“Women” is one of the most underrated and highly media hyped subject at the same time in modern India. From education to marriage to survival, you must have come across gobs of content – via print, digital, radio, and web media – demonstrating womanhood. But, how is womanhood treated in our country? Is it strengthened or threatened? While protracted endurance of womanhood is momentous for any nation, obliviousness towards motherhood should not be tolerated correspondingly. Poor health quality is the biggest adversary of womanhood, and of course, motherhood in our land.
These health related adversaries – some involuntarily and voluntarily embraced by women – need to be exposed so that we become aware of them and strive towards overcoming them through cemented measures.
Good Intent, but Bad Modus Operandi – Dirty Sterilization
India, the globe’s top sterilizer, is second to China by a little margin in taking aggressive strides towards reining in population growth primarily through mass-sterilization. However, the news of 15 consequent post-sterilization female deaths in east India, which went fiery viral not only across the nation but the whole world, raised questions on the government’s draconian efforts to curb population growth.
i. Low dignity and high infection risk
The latest findings of the Bihar female sterilization research conducted by The International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) clearly explain the subtitle. “The plight of poor women denied of the dignity and respect they deserve, coupled with the high risk of exposure to infections and post-surgery complications,” as stated by ICRW Asia Regional Head Ravi Verma, has been the highlight of the research. However, the State Heath Minister rejected the findings.
ii. No beds, only mats
Imagine your spouse been asked to recover on a floor mat after going through a sterilization surgery. How would you react? The research shows that only 1/10th of primary health centers gave their sterilized female patients the privilege of recovering on a bed while a good score of sterilized women were asked to risk infections and sicknesses by recovering on mats spread on floor.
Lead researcher Pranita Achyut said “Safe, sanitary conditions are absolutely non-negotiable and can be achieved with very little or no heavy additional costs but will surely yield long-term dividends.”
While this is the scenario outside the operation theater, we haven’t yet talked about the conditions existing inside. Be it cotton swabs or scissors, most facilities were short of some essentials and experienced “troubling shortages” of medical professionals to carry out sterilizations. Shortage of basic sterilization supplies and drugs was also surveyed.
iii. Getting paid for getting sterilized
The research studied nearly 80 hospitals, both private and public, including 800 physicians and nurses. Activists gave shocking news of uneducated women been asked to get sterilized, while getting paid for it, without having enough knowledge about the possible risks – as doctors and officials are encouraged by a quota system to cut corners.
As surveyed, Bihar is a state which uses contraceptive methods on a very low scale and mostly chooses sterilization compared to other states.
No Toilets, No Healthy Pregnancies
According to WHO, more than half a billion Indians still defecate in open areas as they have no access to proper sanitary facilities. Nevertheless, our Hon. Prime Minister is doing his best to fulfill the mission of installing a washroom for every Indian home by 2019.
In the meanwhile, a new research explains how lack of proper sanitary system in India is making a serious impact on pregnant women. After researching 670 pregnant women in Orissa, which tops the list of holding the highest number of homes without toilets in India, it was found that defecation in the open causes premature delivery and birthing of low weight babies.
The findings published in journal PLOS Medicine claim that although such effects on pregnancy called adverse pregnancy outcome (APO) were also found in women who did used toilets and that they could also be triggered by poverty and poor living conditions, open defecation is still a “significant” cause.
After China hitting the number 1.17 million, India at 3.5 million is noted to outpace every other country in the world for having the highest number of premature births.
“Our results specifically demonstrate that latrine access alone is not associated with a reduction in the burden of APOs; however, latrine use is,” said the researchers, “Our model estimated 7-fold higher odds of APOs among pregnant women who had access to a latrine but used it only rarely compared to women who used a latrine often/daily.”
Research paper co-author Pinaki Panigrahi from University of Nebraska Medical Center said “Analysis of our data demonstrates that improved sanitation is a critical need during pregnancy.”
Above 40? You Need these Tips
You must have come across tips and advice galore for young women in their 20’s and 30’s. But, you hardly hear anyone talking about staying beautiful and healthy in the late 40’s. One of the major concerns of our nation is women’s health, which is way below par.
Acting like you’re 22 when you’re actually 42 is certainly silly! We are not talking about how to go back to your 20’s, but how to be at your best right in your 40’s. Get a lovely 40’s body with these tips.
Daily Exercise:
One or two exercise days missed here and there never affected your 20’s body. But, it would certainly affect you in your 40’s. Your exercise regimen doesn’t have to be hard and fast. Choose a consistent, convenient workout schedule that your body can follow.
Vitamins:
If you don’t take your vitamins, your nails, hair, and skin will show the effect. Consume your recommended fish oil and multi-vitamin tablets daily.
Back and Feet:
Never miss out on your pedicures, whether at home or at a salon. Talking about your back, don’t forget it manages your weight and supports your body posture. Refrain from lifting heavy objects, do some back stretches, and change your bed to a firm one.
If you don’t take care of yourself, no one will. And, the “change” always begins with one person, with you.