Women’s Health Campaign gets underway in the Territory.

By: Tosimaeʻa Tupua

Email: tupua@opi.as.gov

Healthy women, healthy society is the theme of this year’s women's health island wide campaign put together by the Department of Health. The campaign that will run until next year brings together officials of the government and the private sector to once again highlight the importance of looking after women's health. Speaking at the church service to mark the beginning of this campaign, Lt Governor Talauega says, women represent the cornerstone of a family’s overall health, ensuring they have access to quality care also can lead to improved health for children and families.

Lt Governor Talauega says the health of families and communities are no doubt tied to the health of women. The illness or death of a woman has serious and far-reaching consequences for the health of her children, family and the community too. Today, women’s health is taking on a higher position in society as people have come to realize that while women have many of the same diseases as men, their symptoms and treatments may not always be identical.

Director of Health, Motusa Tuileama Nua says Healthy Women, Healthy Society embodies the fact that as custodians of family health, women play a critical role in maintaining the health and overall well-being of her communities. However, because of the many roles women play, they too often are focused on the health care of their spouse or children, while neglecting their own needs. Because of this, it is important that women take the time to maintain good health for themselves as well. In fact, a number of illnesses that affect women can actually be prevented with proper woman’s care as a priority.

Director of DWYA, Dr Salote Aoelua in her the keynote address reflected back on her journey and said at each stage of a woman’s life, there are important preventative health care steps to follow in order to provide early detection of medical problems. Many women may neglect health care exams for a number of reasons, however, in the end, it comes down to whether or not you wish to make yourself a priority. After putting so much energy into caring for the lives of others, it is time women deserve that same level of care toward themselves.