World AIDS Day 2013

Hayat Ahmed an NHS Health Advocate/Clinical Haematologist supports Ms Rose Blossom education team and discusses problematic blood cells in relation to HIV/AIDS.

HIV/AIDS

HIV is a virus in the group of viruses called retroviruses. The acronym stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus these viruses attack and destroy cells in the body called CD4 T cells. AIDS is acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, which is where the immune system is weakened causing illness and infections as a result of HIV. The term AIDS is now more known as late stage HIV because of the ART antiretroviral medication.HIV and AIDS are not the same and having HIV treatment early can prevent late stage HIV.

Tesco and Diabetes UK: Type 2 diabetes risk awareness campaign

The Cry, The Call of Dr Phoebe Abe and Leyla Hussein

End FGM not Female Fertility

Dr Phoebe Abe

This week the nation focuses on National Infertility, in Philappa Roxby’s (BBC health reporter) recent article infertility is regarded as a taboo subject for women. In a talk last Saturday by Dr Phoebe Abe a GP who also campaigns internationally against FGM, she talks poignantly on the unnecessary health conditions and major consequences of serious illness from the impact of FGM, such as Kidney failure. In Dr Abe’s work she informs her peers, surgeons in the medical profession as to the seriousness of FGM, many of whom are unaware of stitched women who are in labour and then proceed to Cesarean section. Outside of her surgery hours she passionately holds grassroots meetings with women to discuss the harm, the legal implications on those found guilty of the practice as well as political activism and lobbying.  

Holly McNish Breast feeding

Natural v Sexual

                                                              Holly McNish

October is national breast cancer awareness month and I want to blog about the nature of the breast function as opposed to it being only an object of sexual gratification. On national poetry day poet Holly McNish waxed lyrical on the topic of breastfeeding on a spoken word piece entitled Embarrassed. Her poem was written from her experience of wanting to breast feed her baby daughter in an open space but had to resort to the ladies toilets, so not to annoy the public. She rants about the way “tits” are displayed in billboards all over the country, yet when she needs to fulfill her natural responsibility society shuns it, therefore encouraging more formula milk.

Miss Representation

Age Discrimination

Earlier on in the month I attended a screening hosted by UN Women,  KPMG Network of Women (KNOW) and the International Women’s Forum (IWF) from the award winning Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s film Miss Representation which highlighted the dire issues of inequality of women in USA. Key points that were alarming were girls and women with eating disorders, the limited amount of women that are protagonists in films, and few women directors or writers. What stood out for me were the remarks on women and ageing, exemplifying that woman at a certain age are marginalized and fade into the background, because of age discrimination.

United we stand

One world and one race is the binding factor to tie us together in one love, sharing and supporting each other in this life. Opposing views and values are divisive yet inevitable and healthy for democracy and freedom, however when we are working towards the same or similar goals there is a powerful force and greater impact when all participants pull together and work cohesively.

Mind Body Spirt

Mind over matter

A holy trinity, sounds religious but my definition is less complicated than the jargon of any religious doctrine, three in one: the mind, body and spirit in your being is a total feeling of wholeness and well-being; a peaceful mind creates a relaxed and healthy body with that in place it is easier to feel a fulfilled spirit. It is as simple as that, no anxiety and worries the lesser the chance of tensions in the neck and so forth. For me healing the mind and soul and relaxing and recharging the body is having ultimate health. It is the perfect start and route to completion to healthy living. I advocate for engaging in physical fitness of vigorous activities three to four times a week, and I know from experience of the benefits of brisk walking and outdoor jogging, the effects of these exercises gives me clarity. However I also believe I must give my mind an exercise programme too.

Exercise Is Key

You must do your...

Along with cancer awareness week 13-19^th May also was dedicated to mental health awareness focusing on the benefits of exercise for mental health. I started the week of with a little gentle exercise. With lack of sleep the night before I was extremely exhausted yet the Yoga exercise I did last Saturday was rejuvenating, I spent most of the session sitting down and stretching with a few standing positions. Normally I have not been keen on yoga but I tried some sessions at the first Health and Beauty Expo at Earls Court Olympia, and for me it was amazing as I walked away recharged as if ready to start a new day.

Fruity Friday

Five a day

If you are on five a day Fruity Friday may be insignificant and not seen as a challenge. Having fruit on a daily basis was something I grew up with, although when I left home fruit and vegetables where not the first thing on my shopping list, more like five packs of biscuits and cakes for my sweet tooth cravings. There are substitutes of natural sugars for my addiction to the sugar cane, black grapes and mangoes are such fruit. With the variety of fruit and vegetable juices it is now so much easier if you have trouble counting and consuming your five a day, than in a typical balanced meal.

Time For Therapy

Sanctuary Spa Covent Garden

Pampering

As fun loving and friendly as I can be on a good day, on reflections of self observation I note that a lesser amount of my days I can fall into low spirit for any given reason. By nature I love to be upbeat, smile and feel energetic in life, also by nature of cold climates I am affected by a condition similar to seasonal affected disorder. It is not possible to be happy all the time, and considering circumstances I don’t expect to be. However I believe there is a need to feel in a relaxed state of mind, no matter the external factors present. It can be work related stress or family and personal issues that toss my life around and put me off balance, and we all go through life in similar ways, hitting walls, taking falls and standing up again. Solutions for me are stepping out of the issues and emptying my mind.

BBC Casualty

Unsilenced

For the first time ever the BBC drama Casualty tackled the issue of FGM to engage a wider audience in the U.K, to bring about awareness of the act and from a silencing-secrecy in communities that practice it to the public concern. The script emphasised the importance of safeguarding responsibilities of professionals who may come in face to case contact with affected girls, i.e. the surgeons at hospital; the hidden crime that should be reported to police in cases of suspecting. From the posts on BBC Casualty facebook page it is evident that this episode has been an eye opener for a lot of the British public, citizens were shocked to hear that this practice is going on in the U.K. Two commentators mentioned child abuse in a country of law and order. The story dealt with the physiology of FGM in childbirth complications as well as vulnerable children at risk of child abuse.

Signposting 2

Specialist Clinical Services for FGM, provided by NHS:

Safeguarding Children

Consultation Committee in view to incorporate FGM training in Initial Teacher Training (ITT) and Inset days.

Responsible department: Department for Education

Every child matters and it is vital that all teachers nationwide should be aware of any harmful practices and danger children face regardless of their culture.
The primary national curriculum for PSHE and Citizenship four elements, one stating developing a healthy, safer lifestyle for children.
With 30,000 girls at risk of being tortured the time is now to improve the skills and confidence of SRE teachers, through their ITT and regularly on INSET.
The time is now to review the curriculum and add this topic starting from year six. Please sign the petitions below:

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/47004

Signposting

Advocacy Services and Support

Happy International Womens Day