REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH WOMEN IN POLAND
REPORT - February 1997
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH WOMEN IN POLANDREPORT - February 1997 |
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The Federation for Women and Family Planning embarked in 1996 on a survey concerning some problems of the reproductive health of Polish women. Its objective was to acquire knowledge on subjects not covered by soundings so far, particularly such issues as:
The "Reproductive Health" survey results allowed drawing concrete conclusions as to the reproductive health needs and the degree to which these needs are met by health service institutions. Based on these results the Federation for Women and Family Planning puts forward in the Report demands addressed to the Ministry of Health and to other institutions responsible for Poland's health policy.
The term "reproductive health" has been in use in the world and in international documents already for some time, while in Poland it is relatively new. The definition of this term is based on a definition of health ratified by the World Health Organisation.
The most important international documents to recognise and ratify the definition of reproductive health include: the Programme of Action of the International UN Conference on Population and Development (Cairo, 1994) and the Platform for Action of the Fourth UN World Conference on Women (Beijing, 1995). Reproductive health and reproductive rights are promoted by the World Health Organisation and by other UN organisations.
Reproductive health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, in all matters relating to the reproductive system and to its functions and processes. Reproductive health therefore implies that people are able to have a satisfying and safe sex life and that they have the capability to reproduce and the freedom to decide if, when and how often to do so. Implicit in this last condition are the right of men and women to be informed and to have access to safe, effective, affordable and acceptable methods of family planning of their choice, as well as other methods of their choice for regulation of fertility which are not against the law, and the right of access to appropriate health-care services that will enable women to go safely through pregnancy and childbirth and provide couples with the best chance of having a healthy infant. In line with the above definition of reproductive health, reproductive health care is defined as the constellation of methods, techniques and services that contribute to reproductive health and well-being by preventing and solving reproductive health problems. It also includes sexual health, the purpose of which is the enhancement of life and personal relations, and not merely counselling and care related to reproduction and sexually transmitted diseases. (Platform for Action, 94)
Reproductive health embraces the whole set of issues concerning the functioning of the human reproductive system during all stages of life. It is not a uniquely medical term. It relates not only to biological functions, but also, to a large extent, to the aspect of mental well-being. The state of reproductive health should be considered within a broadly understood social context and this includes the living conditions. The fact whether a woman is subject to violence, whether she is overburdened by her job and her house duties as well as the economic quality of her living conditions leaves a major imprint on her health.
It is crucial to understand reproductive health as the human right both to be healthy and to have access to medical services and counselling of the highest standard, and to full and reliable information, i.e. to everything that helps guarantee well-being.
The question of woman's reproductive health comprises among other things:
Women are liable to various complications and dangers that result from reproductive system functioning and disease. In order to prevent the numerable illnesses, the most dangerous of which are neoplasms - such as breast cancer, uterine cervix cancer, body of the uterus cancer - it is necessary to make prophylactic periodic examinations.
All of these women-specific neaoplasms can be cured in most cases, provided they are detected and treated early. It follows that many of the women who died of reproductive system neaoplasms might have survived, if they had called for help early enough.
It is also good to realize that any prophylactic expenses pay back a good many times. They not only save women's health and life, they simply happen to be cheaper. Economic calculation clearly demonstrate that prevention is cheaper than medical treatment.
International documents stress the need for and importance of appropriate counselling and of medical services related to reproductive health for adolescent girls. The health problems adolescent girls face concerning their reproductive system may affect their procreation in the future. These problems include among others hormonal disorders and birth canal infections that afflict adolescent girls ever more often, and also dangers relating to diseases transmitted by way of sexual intercourse and to unwanted pregnancy.
It is widely known in Poland that Polish adolescent girls seldom seek gynecological counsel. There is a shortage of specialists and of places to which they could turn for medical assistance and for counsel in matters concerning fertility regulation and prevention of diseases transmitted by way of sexual intercourse.
Also men should have access to information and education related to reproductive and sexual health, monitoring their fertility and preventing diseases transmitted by way of sexual intercourse included, so that they feel ever more responsible for their sexual and reproductive behaviour as partners and fathers.
Reproductive health comprises also health issues of older women, who should have access to proper medical services.
Older women are vulnerable to various reproductive system conditions and diseases - including neoplastic ones - such as afflictions due to menopause and other hormonal health problems that may lead to osteoporosis, to heart and circulatory diseases.
Poland witnesses a lack of specialists in these issues, especially in the public health service; private medical services are very expensive and, except for large towns, virtually unavailable. Hormonal drugs cost a lot and in most cases are not refunded.
Although it is the whole of the Polish health service that leaves much to be desired, health issues of older women are particularly neglected.
Bearing in mind the above definition, reproductive rights embrace certain human rights that are already recognised in national laws, international human rights documents and other consensus documents. These rights rest on the recognition of the basic right of all couples and individuals to decide freely and responsibly the number, spacing and timing of their children and to have the information and means to do so, and the right to attain the highest standard of sexual and reproductive health. It also includes their right to make decisions concerning reproduction free of discrimination, coercion and violence, as expressed in human rights documents. In the exercise of this right, they should take into account the needs of their living and future children and their responsibilities towards the community. The promotion of the responsible exercise of these rights for all people should be the fundamental basis for government- and community-supported policies and programmes in the area of reproductive health, including family planning. As part of their commitment, full attention should be given to the promotion of mutually respectful and equitable gender relations and particularly to meeting the educational and service needs of adolescents to enable them to deal in a positive and responsible way with their sexuality. Reproductive health eludes many of the world's people because of such factors as: inadequate levels of knowledge about human sexuality and inappropriate or poor-quality reproductive health information and services; the prevalence of high-risk sexual behaviour; discriminatory social practices; negative attitudes towards women and girls; and the limited power many women and girls have over their sexual and reproductive lives. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable because of their lack of information and access to relevant services in most countries. Older women and men have distinct reproductive and health issues which are often inadequately addressed. (Platform for Action, 95)
Human rights concerning procreation are defined as reproductive rights in line with international documents. It is regarded a great success that the international community has ranked reproductive rights with fundamental human rights.
Reproductive rights comprise:Insuring health care and the abiding by reproductive rights is among the duties of the Polish government, particularly the Ministry of Health and Social Care and the Ministry of Education.
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