Latest news with #Gynaecologists
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Ottawa-based organization's pre-budget submission takes aim at women's health funding
An Ottawa-based organization is urging the federal government to allocate millions of dollars in Budget 2025 to address gaps and misinformation in women's health, saying the money will advance women's health care across the country. The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) is a national organization dedicated to advancing women's health and advocating for better health-care policies across the country. In its pre-budget submission, the organization outlined five key recommendations for government officials to consider while drafting Budget 2025, which is expected to drop in the fall. One of those recommendations is a $20 million investment to close data gaps in women's health by creating a National Women's Health Data Dashboard and improve data collection strategies. The SOGC says the dashboard, which should be a standardized and disaggregated database, will provide meaningful insights into key women's health indicators. This includes data on maternal mortality and morbidity, stillbirth and perinatal loss, menopause and endometriosis. This will help patients make informed decisions about their health and also allow health-care providers to provide more responsive, equitable and cost-effective care, the SOGC added. The organization also said the move will also have economic benefits because incomplete data leads to lost productivity and greater costs to the health-care system. Patients often have to foot hefty bills from unnecessary health-care costs. Currently, provinces and territories are responsible for collecting this data and practices may vary widely. 'The federal government must take a leadership role in co-ordinating and standardizing this data collection, as approaches to health data collection across provinces and territories vary widely. Only national leadership can ensure consistency, comparability and the quality needed to build a reliable, actionable and nationally-focused database and dashboard,' the pre-budget submission read. 'Without co-ordinated, federally driven health data infrastructure, Canada will continue to miss emerging health trends, fall short in reducing system costs and fail to support women whose pain and illness limit their ability to fully participate in the economy.' The recommendation comes after Prime Minister Mark Carney made several promises to protect women's rights in Canada throughout his federal election campaign earlier this year. This includes investments to increase data collection to 'help address women's health gaps in Canada,' as well as investments into under-researched areas like postpartum maternal health. But the platform did not provide specific details about how much money will be allocated to this initiative. 'Under a Liberal government, women's rights in Canada will never be compromised. We will protect these rights, and fight for true equity for women — in health, in the workplace, and in their access to fundamental rights,' the 2025 Liberal Party federal election platform reads. The Liberal Party of Canada also pledged to invest into women's sexual and reproductive health care and health research, including those who identify as 2SLGBTQI+. Women's health still under-researched, underfunded Advocates have been talking about the lack of awareness and knowledge around women's health for years, saying it is a result of historical gender inequality in the research process. Research published in April this year found that the percentage of research abstracts mentioning sex, gender and LGBTQ2S+ populations doubled or quadrupled from 2020 to 2023 but remained at under 10 per cent of overall funded research. The number of female-specific research didn't change much between 2020 to 2023 — female-specific research only made up about seven per cent of all research between 2020 to 2023. A large bulk of that research focused on cancers (breast and gynecologic) or pregnancy. This is despite the Health Portfolio Sex- and Gender-Based Analysis Plus Policy, which mandates for integrated sex and gender-based analyses in Canada. That policy came into effect in 2009 and aimed to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in health research. 'Mandates are not affecting the percentage of funding for women's health grants. More efforts and support beyond sex and gender mandates are needed to increase funding for and to diversify female-specific research beyond pregnancy and cancer. Research devoted to women's health factors is key to achieving personalized medicine and improved health outcomes for everyone,' the researchers wrote. The lack of funded research into women's health also means many Canadians are misinformed and susceptible to disinformation. A 2024 Abacus report commissioned by the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) showed that a majority of Canadians now seek news and information online over TV or radio. Female respondents were more likely than men to use social media and online platforms to find information on specific health conditions, symptoms or treatment options. 'Given the complexity of women's health issues, which can range from endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), menopause and more, the quest for information is real. Women are more likely to experience dismissal or minimization of their symptoms, perpetuating stigma and shame,' the CMA said in a post published in March 2024. 'Algorithms that favour clicks and likes to the detriment of evidence-based facts make it increasingly difficult to discern health facts from fiction.' A 2021 survey from three women's health foundations in Canada — the BC Women's Health Foundation, the Alberta Women's Health Foundation and the Women's College Hospital Foundation — found that a majority of Canadians were misinformed about women's health. The survey suggests that 83 per cent of Canadians didn't know that 30 per cent of women suffer from periods severe enough to interfere with daily activities. The report also said only 20 per cent of Canadians knew that heart disease kills more women than men each year. 'For so long, women's specific health needs have been largely ignored, under-researched, and underfunded. In fact, it takes 17 years for clinical research to filter down to medical practice, but women have only been included in trials for the past 20 years,' said Jennifer Bernard in 2021. Bernard is currently the president and CEO of the SickKids Foundation but was the former president and CEO of the Women's College Hospital Foundation from 2018 to 2023. Our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark our homepage and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed. Related How to stay safe near the Ottawa River's Deschênes Rapids Federal cuts are freezing new grads out of the public service
Irish Times
11-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
Letters to the Editor, July 11th: On maternity hospitals, sexual abuse, and weeping
Sir, – One of the key problems in the maternity services is that we have far too many small maternity units spread out over the country ('Experts call for national review of maternity hospitals,' July 10th). These maternity units are expensive to maintain, have difficulty in attracting sufficient staff, and it is a challenge to keep up the high standards expected of them. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists recommends that a maternity unit should have an absolute minimum of 2,500 births per annum. The Irish Institute of Obstetricians recommends a minimum of 2,000 births. However, here in the southeast of the country, we have no less than four smaller maternity units (Clonmel, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford). READ MORE The solution would be an expensive one but would bring wonderful, long-term benefits. A brand-new hospital with all the facilities necessary to have an up-to-date maternity unit, along with surgical and medical facilities, should be built in the epicentre of the southeast with a good road leading to it from each of the southeastern counties – Waterford, Wexford, Kilkenny, Tipperary and Carlow. This concentration of medical and surgical facilities in one place would be in accordance with all of the expert reports recommending the reorganisation of the Irish health service. There would be two obstacles. Such a hospital would cost €2 billion, and all our local politicians would object to the 'downgrading' of their local hospitals. The first obstacle could be overcome, but I suspect we would never get politicians to agree to a top quality hospital if it threatened their local unit. – Yours, etc, TOM O'ROURKE (Retired GP), Gorey, Co Wexford. The presidency Sir, – I would like to put my name forward for the presidency. It should be a sure fire way of uncovering my sins, that I may atone for them. – Yours, etc. FINTAN CADOGAN, Co Cork. Sexual abuse inquiry Sir, – I believe the Government is making another great mistake in the sordid history of institutional child abuse in Ireland by limiting the scope of the proposed inquiry to sexual abuse only. The Tusla website cites four categories of child abuse: neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse and sexual abuse. It says that the child may be subjected to more than one form of abuse at the same time and that the impact of the abuse on the child is more important than the intention of the abuser. Clients who as children were sadistically caned or beaten up, in front of other children, I would clinically treat as physically, emotionally and sexually abused. Children who were locked in rooms, humiliated or ignored because they were different from the norm were emotionally abused, but whatever the form of abuse, the damage is essentially done to the psychological integrity of the child. I don't understand why the Government is prioritising sexual abuse. By doing so, all other child abuse victims are being excluded and neglected, in fact, being abused again. If we are going to spend 'tens of millions' and years to do it, why not make it an inclusive, therapeutic and healing process for all the victims of school childhood abuse who would seek to be involved? – Yours, etc, DAMIEN McLELLAN, Consultant psychotherapist, Faithlegg, Co Waterford. New building regulations Sir, – The recent change in building regulations for apartment builds will take a few years to have an impact and will seriously call into question the quality of life discussion around meeting housing need. Building homes is primarily about building sustainable communities and the reduction in spatial provision will have serious adverse impacts on how people live. Storage space is a critical factor in house design and asking individuals and couples to live in compacted units of accommodation adds significantly to the pressure of more persons seeking future housing moves to accommodate expanding lifestyle and community enjoyment. Thus, by default, the Government is fuelling the transient tenant problem. This destabilises communities and places at risk plans for sustainable and viable communities. Government must ask themselves would they seek to live in confined units of accommodation? Developers and investors are seeking continuing governmental guarantees to ensure the viability of housing schemes. Government must now seek to reverse that debate and seek cross guarantees on fixed price contracts, increased site productivity and increased modern methods of construction. A fluid housing market has to have a speculative element within its framework to encourage market competition and consumer choice. The present arrangement with developers and investors has driven out the speculative element within house building and minimised consumer choice leading to spiralling purchase costs, unaffordable rental prices and a now accepted slow pace of productivity. There is an unhealthy comfort blanket that is delaying development and maximising governmental guarantees. In a market where demand is significantly high and supply very weak in comparison, surely there needs to be more speculation by investors and developers. Is supply simply being driven by price? – Yours, etc, BRIAN ROWNTREE, Ardee, Co Louth. Sir, – I notice a barrage of letters today (July 10th) on the proposed smaller apartments. It may come as a surprise to readers to know that Minister for Housing James Browne is also, in effect, Minister for Hares. Shortly, he will issue licences to the 89 coursing clubs to net thousands of hares and trap them in small enclosed spaces where their movement is restricted and they are forced to co-exist with others in a totally unnatural environment. Perhaps this is where he got his inspiration? – Yours, etc, JOAN BURGESS, Cork. Sir, – Forty years ago on a bus in Cork city an eccentric woman from rural north Cork told me: 'They are all living in rabbit hutches with those apartments.' Now, Minister for Housing James Browne wants to enforce smaller and darker apartments on new builds. How insightful was that old woman? 'Rabbit hutches,' indeed. – Yours, etc, MICHAEL O'CONNOR, Midleton, Co Cork. World of weeping Sir, – Thanks to Kathy Sheridan for reminding us of the importance of not being afraid to cry: 'If a politician lacks all compassion, empathy and decency towards their political peers, how can they be trusted to respect ordinary people.'(' Breaking down in tears at the scene was mortifying. It was also the only sane response ,' July 9th). Rachel Reeves's tears in front of the cameras in the House of Commons, has done us all a great favour, even if some people choose to see it as a weakness. We have managed to cloud human emotion in today's world with corporate speak, and at what cost? Just a few days ago I received a call from a well-known, respected and world recognised member of the medical profession. During our conversation, he told me he recently met a former patient when walking around Dublin. She threw her arms around him with tears in her eyes and said, 'oh give me a hug'. A powerful example of human emotion expressed, shared and respected. More tears, including tears of joy shed by men and women without fear and ridicule, would go a long way to show what humanity means, and make daily living a bit more bearable in our troubled world. – Yours, etc, ALICE LEAHY, Director of Services, Alice Leahy Trust, Dublin 8. Palestinian children delayed Sir, – I cannot understand why the Government is delaying the arrival and treatment of seriously ill children from Gaza. It is to our shame that children have died while waiting for permission to travel. The issue, apparently, is that the Government is troubled by the issue of bringing other siblings with them. The reality is that these siblings are very unlikely to be in full health themselves, while not requiring immediate medical treatment. However, the main difficulty I have is how different the Government approach is in facilitating the arrival and acceptance of Gazan people into Ireland from the open arms that were shown to people fleeing the Ukrainian invasion. About 112,000 Ukrainians were welcomed here, provided with housing and their other needs met. English lessons were provided in schools to enable children to receive their education and GPs were arranged. Benefits were paid. One Irish person on a housing list told me they accepted that they might be waiting longer as a result of pressure on housing caused by the increased and emergency demand. We even brought families' beloved pets here, in recognition of how important they were to refugees. How can it be that to one population is supported, while for another population our Government delays the arrival of desperately ill children while quibbling over siblings accompanying them? Are Ukrainian pets more worthy of our support and care than Gazan children? Why the disparity? I don't feel proud of Ireland's response to the horrific events taking place in Palestine. Where are our hundred thousand welcomes now? – Yours, etc, CATHERINE ROCHE , Rathfarnham, Dublin 16. On board with the Russians Sir, – Your article by Conor Gallagher regarding the Shtandart (' We do not support Putin: On board the sanctioned Russian ship in Killiney Bay ,' July 9th) raises some difficult issues regarding Russian sanctions and Russian citizens who might or might not be sympathetic to either Putin or Ukraine. In 2017, this wonderful ship paid a visit to Drogheda for its maritime festival, its young crew putting on amazing acrobatic displays. A few days later, I had the great pleasure of visiting their vessel in Port Oriel, Clogherhead, and meeting some of the crew. Not all were Russian and all had a very easy-going attitude. Several were circus performers who also played their part as crew. I take exception to Barry Ward TD asking for their removal from Irish waters without any proof that they offer a threat to Irish or EU security. Have we not learned from Alexei Navalny and many others that not all Russians are fans of Putin? Be kind to wandering minstrels with nowhere to go, please. – Yours, etc, CHARLIE KAVANAGH, Co Wexford. A solution to teacher shortages Sir, – Your editorial on education being compromised (July 8th) highlighted a deeply concerning reality: 'Almost all primary schools, for example, had to employ unqualified individuals without teaching qualifications as substitutes in the past year.' This stark statement speaks to the ongoing and worsening teacher/ substitute shortage within our primary education system, which calls for urgent, creative, and evidence-based solutions. One such solution lies in the strategic employment of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) graduates within the junior division of primary schools. Such graduates hold specialised degrees in early childhood learning, development, and care and are highly trained in child-led pedagogy, play-based methodologies, emergent literacy, and inclusive early education – skills that align precisely with the needs of children in the early years of primary school. This would not only address staff shortages and relieve pressure on schools currently forced to hire 'unqualified individuals without teaching qualifications' but also provide much-needed continuity and quality in early education, as per Government goals outlined in its First 5 strategy and in other strategic plans. We have the talent. We have the need. What's missing is the political will to connect the two. – Yours, etc. ANN HARRINGTON, Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare. Trump and his US support base Sir, – Ed Power faults the producers of RTÉ's documentary about Noraid for not addressing the 'uncomfortable fact that Irish America . . . would go on to become a power base for Donald Trump and, thus of 21st century neo-fascism'. (' RTÉ's Noraid: Irish America and the IRA leans towards the Che Guevara version of history ,' July 9th). This wrongly assumes it is easy or even possible to say who is part of 'Irish America'. Is membership based on the proportion of one's ancestors who lived in Ireland, on how recently those ancestors emigrated, on the degree of one's interest in Ireland, or perhaps on whether one celebrates St Patrick's Day or even called it 'St Patty's Day'? And what is the actual evidence that Irish America, however defined, is more of a power base for Trump than Italian America, German America, or English America, all equally hazy entities? – Yours, etc, FRANK GAVIN, Toronto, Canada. Left unguarded Sir, – Clearly nobody is guarding the subeditor when a heading such as 'Guardian ad litems' (sic) appears in the letters page. –Yours, etc, GEARÓID Ó BRÁDAIGH, Co Westmeath. Sunshine drinking Sir, – The article, ' Ten of the best Dublin pubs in sunny weathe r', July 10th, states that even a footpath in the evening sun, with a decent pint, will suffice. The article's photograph shows people drinking from glass bottles on the Grand Canal lock gates, the canal bank and the footpath on the opposite side of the canal. I didn't realise that drinking from glass bottles was permitted on a public footpath. Perhaps your correspondent could report on the clean-up of this space by unfortunate Dublin City Council workers after the revelry has ended, or assist local residents in removing glass bottles and even boxes of empty cans from their gardens the following morning? The hotter the weather seems to be, canal-side, the more people must evacuate their sunshine, drinking down private residential laneways and gardens on their merry moonlit way home. Perhaps it's best not to encourage this behaviour. – Yours, etc, BEN McCABE, Dublin 6.
The National
22-05-2025
- Health
- The National
Maternal immunisation: Science and nature in tandem to protect newborns and infants
Maternal immunisation is one of the most effective ways to shield newborns from life-threatening illnesses in their earliest days. By receiving recommended vaccines during pregnancy, mothers can pass on antibodies to their babies, providing essential early protection against communicable diseases before infants are eligible to receive their vaccinations. As innovation advances, this preventive strategy is becoming a cornerstone of neonatal health protection worldwide. A new approach to protecting the youngest lives Maternal immunisation, which is endorsed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, has long been used to protect infants against a number of infectious diseases. The practice involves administering a vaccine to an expectant mother to trigger the production of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies, which are then passed to the foetus via the placenta. The placenta actively transfers these antibodies during the later stages of pregnancy, and studies show that full-term infants often have higher antibody concentrations than the mother. 'Forming a vital line of defence against infection with communicable diseases for newborn babies, maternal immunisation offers critical protection for infants in the early months while their immune systems are still developing, before they can be immunised themselves,' says Professor Acar Koç, emeritus professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at Ankara University in Turkey. 'Given many infectious diseases – such as respiratory syncytial virus – are particularly dangerous to young babies, who are unable to receive related vaccinations, maternal immunisation is one of the only ways to protect newborns.' Advancing maternal and infant health through innovation Leaders in biopharmaceutical innovation, such as Pfizer, act as the foundation beneath efforts to reduce transmission of communicable diseases, with vaccines proving to be one of the most effective tools in protecting populations against illness. Over the years, Pfizer has played a pivotal role in preventing and controlling infectious diseases to safeguard the health of millions around the world. 'Our long-standing commitment to public health, including infants and mothers, and disease prevention through vaccines is reflected in our continued investment in research, education, and stakeholder engagement across the region,' says Dr Hammam Haridy, regional medical director at Pfizer. 'We pride ourselves on our leadership in the biopharmaceutical field, inspired by our vision of making innovative breakthroughs that change lives.' A turning point in reducing the impact of RSV The role of maternal immunisation in efforts to reduce the impact of diseases such as RSV, which can be life-threatening to newborns, was in the spotlight at the recent 'MeraMaternal Immunisation Summit: Born Ready' entitled 'Rise: Respiratory Immunisation Summit for Excellence' by Pfizer. RSV is a seasonal virus and the leading cause of acute lower respiratory infections in children globally, with nearly all children infected by age two. It causes approximately 33 million cases, more than three million hospitalisation, and nearly 60,000 deaths globally each year in children under five – a trend that is mirrored in the Middle East, Russia, and Africa. While the prevalence of the virus across countries in the Mera region varies from year to year, annual prevalence has, in the past, exceeded 50 per cent; 64 per cent in Jordan in 2006-07, and 52.6 per cent in Pakistan in 2011-12. As many as 81.7 per cent and 72.5 per cent of inpatients with clinically diagnosed bronchiolitis in the UAE and Egypt, respectively, were confirmed to have RSV. In a 10-year retrospective cohort study in the UAE, almost half of patients with RSV were aged under two years and, of these patients, 22 per cent were hospitalised with an average hospital stay of four days and a total hospitalisation cost of US$9.8 million. Experts at the summit discussed the potential impact the breakthrough maternal RSV vaccine – now available to expectant mothers – can have on the burden of the virus, helping protect against infection to newborn infants through six months. The summit also highlighted the vital importance of raising awareness of maternal immunisation and its potential to help reduce the impact of the virus across the region, as well as addressing vaccine hesitancy, to protect communities through a successful roll-out of vaccination programmes. Collaboration: A key element of building a healthier future Given the impact of diseases such as RSV, it is more important than ever that all stakeholders in health care redouble efforts to reduce the burden. Dr Hammam Haridy says: 'It is imperative that we collaborate to increase awareness of key innovations, such as maternal immunisation, to reduce the burden of disease in infants as well as healthcare systems. "Together, we can create solutions to enhance patient outcomes and improve community health, changing the future healthcare landscape for the better.'
The Independent
08-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Abortion case prompts calls for legal reform after woman's four-year ordeal
Healthcare professionals and MPs have renewed calls for law reform after a woman was subjected to the 'trauma' of a trial having been accused of an illegal abortion. Nicola Packer was 'persecuted' for a 'tragic accident', her friend said after a jury found the 45-year-old not guilty on Thursday. Ms Packer cried and wiped her eyes with a tissue after being acquitted at Isleworth Crown Court in south-west London, of 'unlawfully administering to herself a poison or other noxious thing' with the 'intent to procure a miscarriage'. The investigation has been described by MPs as 'cruel and unnecessary' and a 'shocking wake up call' of the need for a change in the law. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (Rcog) said the trial showed 'just how outdated and harmful' current abortion law is as they too backed calls for reform. Ms Packer took prescribed abortion medicine when she was around 26 weeks pregnant during the second coronavirus lockdown, her trial heard. The legal limit for taking medication at home for an abortion is 10 weeks. Jurors heard she took medications mifepristone and misoprostol at home in November 2020 and later brought the foetus to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in a backpack. Prosecutors had alleged that Ms Packer knew she had been pregnant for more than 10 weeks, but through tears she told jurors this was not the case. Recalling her 'shock' and 'surprise' at being pregnant, she told the jury of nine women and three men: 'If I had known I was that far along I wouldn't have done it.' She added: 'I wouldn't have put the baby or myself through it.' Abortion is legal in England and Wales with an authorised provider up to 24 weeks, with very limited circumstances allowing one after this time, such as when the mother's life is at risk or the child would be born with a severe disability. The two-week trial faced by Ms Packer was the culmination of a 'terrifying' and traumatic four-and-a-half years, her friend Helle Tumbridge told the PA news agency. Ms Tumbridge said: 'It's honestly felt like she's been persecuted for four and a half years for a tragic accident and the trauma that she's had to carry every single day is unimaginable.' She said she and Ms Packer believe that 'until the law has changed and abortion is decriminalised, then women are going to remain second-class citizens in this country'. It is expected an amendment could be published next week to the Crime and Policing Bill, by a group led by Labour MP Stella Creasy, to not only decriminalise abortion but to 'lock in' the right of someone to have one and protect those who help them. Ms Creasy said the law must be changed so that 'the right to choose is a human right', ensuring no repeat of 'such awful cases and victimisation of vulnerable women again'. Fellow Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi, who went to court to lend her support, branded it 'completely unacceptable' that Ms Packer was 'forced to endure the indignity and turmoil of a trial'. She said: 'Nicola's experience, in her own words, includes being taken from her hospital bed to a police cell, denied timely access to essential medical care, and spending every penny she had on lawyers defending her case. 'This is utterly deplorable, and it is not justice. I do not see how this law can be defended any longer.' Rcog president Dr Ranee Thakar said the college had joined with healthcare professionals and experts 'from over 30 other medical, legal and public health bodies' to call on Parliament to 'take urgent action to protect women's essential reproductive rights and stop these criminal proceedings'. Ms Packer did not discover she was pregnant until she took a test on November 2 2020, the court heard. She took abortion medication on November 6 and went to hospital the following day, having passed a foetus into the toilet, her trial was told. Jurors heard she spent the night of November 7 in hospital and was arrested by police the next day. Jurors deliberated for more than six hours to reach their unanimous verdict of not guilty. The Crown Prosecution Service said its prosecutors 'exercise the greatest care' when considering 'traumatic cases' such as this one. They said they 'recognise the profound strength of feeling these cases evoke, but have a duty to apply laws passed by Parliament fairly and impartially'. The Government said any changes to abortion laws in the UK are 'a matter of conscience for parliamentarians rather than the Government'. 'All women have access to safe and legal abortions on the NHS,' a Government spokesperson said. 'We recognise that this is an extremely sensitive issue, and there are strongly held views on all sides of the discussion. 'That is why, by longstanding convention, any change to the law in this area would be a matter of conscience for parliamentarians rather than the Government. 'Decisions to prosecute, within existing legislation, are for the CPS and are incredibly rare.'
