Women's Healthcare Forum addresses reproductive health and family planning issues in Arab countries

Experts discuss health and safety of women against complications related to pregnancy and childbirth

 In conjunction with a growing national and international trend to promote women's and reproductive health, Bayer Pharmaceuticals has recently organized the ‘Women's Healthcare Forum’ to highlight the most pertinent issues affecting the health and safety of women as well as the latest developments in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases associated with complications in pregnancy and childbirth. The event was held from October 13 to 14, 2016 and attended by a group of doctors and experts from the UAE, Egypt, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Jordan.

The forum was held in line with Bayer’s ‘Women's Health Day’ initiative which is part of the pharmaceutical giant’s corporate social responsibility commitment to raise public awareness on key health issues facing women and children. The event communicated better health practices on family planning, which reflects positively on the welfare and safety of the community as a whole.

Dr. Mona Al Kuwari, an obstetrics and gynaecology specialist, led the assembly and initiated an extensive discussion on a number of reproductive health diseases related to endometriosis, including the guidelines for diagnosis and corresponding treatment. Dr Al Kuwari also discussed challenges in proper diagnosis and the role of ultrasound in determining the disease. The forum addressed the issue of hormonal contraception and reviewed the advantages and disadvantages of combined oral contraceptive 24/4 (COCs regimen 24/4) as well. The discussion further touched on the use of levonorgestrel intrauterine injection technology (levonorgestrel intrauterine system- LNG IUS) in clinical practice, as well social and behavioural methods for effectively communicating the technology with various segments of patients. The forum also included a small workshop on ways to apply LNG-IUS.

Hany Sabry, Gulf Country Manager at Bayer Pharmaceuticals, noted that Bayer’s ‘Women's Healthcare Forum’ was organized to provide an interactive platform concerning the latest advancements in women’s reproductive health and how these developments can help improve their health. Sabry emphasized that the forum is in line with Bayer’s effort to provide the society with the best health practices to avoid gynaecological diseases and present the latest information on safe family planning methods. A safe and sound family planning is an important pillar in ensuring that women are given the best ways to protect their health and wellbeing, including a favourable environment that promotes children’s growth and mental health.

Sabry added: "Our ‘Women's Healthcare Forum’ initiative is in line with our endeavours to help ensure long life and good health for all. We at Bayer are keen to always find ways to empower the local healthcare sector by enabling them to access the latest technologies and innovations that promote the health of individuals and the wellbeing of society as a whole. We were pleased to host the ‘Women's Healthcare Forum’ with distinguished experts and doctors in the field to share the best practices and methods for diagnosing and treating gynaecological diseases, especially the migration of the inner lining of the uterus. Adopting advanced family planning methods is fundamental to reinforcing maternal health and reducing deaths associated with complications due to pregnancy and childbirth."