Health
One of the Programme Focus Goals for the quadrennium 2007-2011 is ‘Soroptimists will ensure that women and girls live in safe and healthy environments’.
The Programme Focus
Objective 3: Ensure access to health care for women and girls.
and
Objective 4: Support programmes and policies that eliminate HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis and other major diseases.
will help Clubs to focus on particular Health Projects in order to achieve this Goal.
RESTORING DIGNITY CAMPAIGN
This S.I. President’s Appeal aims to support the further development of Desta Mender, the special village in Addis Ababa which provides long term care and rehabilitation for fistula patients who cannot be completely cured.
Obstetric Fistula is a condition which affects women and girls who do not have access to medical care during delivery. Each year 50,000—100,000 new cases develop and the devastating physical and social consequences were recognised by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon when he announced a four fold increase in the number of countries served by the UNFPA Campaign to End Fistula http://endfistula.org/
The campaign now works to prevent and treat in over 45 countries in Africa, Asia and Arab States to help achieve Millennium Goal 5—Improve Maternal Health.
WORLD HEALTH DAY
Environmental issues, education, human rights and health are inter-related—for example—water is essential for crop production and clean water is essential to limit the spread of infectious diseases. Natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes have massive consequences for health—resulting in loss of food, shelter and water. Lives are lost and children orphaned. Disease is rife due to the lack of food and clean water and the difficulties in coping with the large numbers of dead.
World Health Day on 7th April will offer an opportunity to concentrate on Projects relating to the programme focus ‘ Support programmes and policies that eliminate HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and other major diseases’. These might include preparing for disasters, control of mosquitos, vaccination and health education.
Rita Allen
APD Health
Rita Allen
I am employed as a Health Visitor and as a member of the local Children's Hospice at Home team, so I am committed to trying to improve the health and well-being of women and children. Since becoming a Soroptimist I have served as Club and Regional President and on the Club, Regional and UK Programme Action Committees.
Working on these committees has been inspirational, I have been impressed by the enthusiasm of the other members, the diversity of the projects undertaken and the partnerships forged with organisations such as UNICEF. There have also been many opportunities for fun and socialising and through this I have made many good friends.
On a personal level, I am married to Bill and we have two daughters and two little grandsons.
Rita Allen