‘FEMALE SOLDIERS HAVE TO FIGHT TABOOS TOO’
Military doctors say more needs to be done to tackle the social and health challenges women face
MANY women soldiers face an arduous task performing their duties because of health constraints and social taboos. Brigadier General Datuk Dr Thavachelvi Thangarajah said many of them, from enlisted personnel to officers, had to put up with common gynaecological issues affecting their work.
Dr Thavachelvi is the obstetrics and gynaecology head at the Tuanku Mizan Armed Forces Hospital in Wangsa Maju, here.
“Menstrual disturbances, pelvic inflammatory diseases and fertility issues are among the common problems faced by women in the military. Many suffer in silence or are shy to divulge their health issues to their colleagues, superiors or even their physicians.
“This often, in turn, affects their performance in the office or during field operations,” she told the New Straits Times after moderating a symposium on Reproductive Health at the Defence Minstry’s Officers Mess in Jalan Tekpi, here.
The symposium was held in conjunction with the 3rd Malaysian Military Medicine Conference, themed Fitness, Wellness and Readiness: Winning the Battle for a Healthy and Ready Force, which was launched by Armed Forces chief General Tan Sri Affendi Buang.
Present were Armed Forces Health Services Division director-general Lt Gen Datuk Dr Md Amin Muslan and the division’s medical director, Major-General Datuk Dr Zulkeffeli Mat Jusoh, who is expected to succeed Dr Amin when he retires.
The symposium involved obstetricians and gynaecologists Colonel Dr Che Hasnura Che Hassan and Colonel Dr Shazni Izana Shahruddin — both serving at the Tuanku Mizan Armed Forces Hospital. Lawyer Fadhlina Sidek was the speaker at the event.
Dr Thavachelvi said pregnancy was another hurdle women soldiers had to negotiate.
“Many of them still believe in taboos. All over the world there are all kinds of dos and don’ts during pregnancy. Many still believe that eating certain food during pregnancy is taboo. So is exercising during pregnancy, which they believe can cause a miscarriage.
“Others are of the impression that delivering a baby in a hospital, rather than at home, is only for the affluent and that it invariably ends up with a Caesarean birth,” she said.
Dr Thavachelvi said it was high time such taboos were ignored as there was no scientific evidence that such practices harmed a pregnancy.
Dr Che Hasnura said women’s reproductive health in the military carried many unique challenges.
“Being in an environment where the men are dominant, women’s health issues are overlooked or addressed inappropriately. Issues related to menstrual disturbances, excruciating period pains and pelvic inflammatory diseases are very common,” she said.
Dr Che Hasnura said the number of infertility cases was on the rise annually, affecting women and men in the armed forces.
“We, as doctors, have a duty to ensure conservation of manpower by offering the best health management for our patients.”
Dr Shazni Izana said food and lifestyle taboos existed in every society.
“The rules and regulations are even more pronounced during the pregnancy and post-delivery period.
“It is also a concern that the trend of choosing a natural birth at home without proper supervision is gaining more attention and popularity in Malaysia,” she said.
Dr Shazni Izana said there was an overapprehension on exercising safely during pregnancy and post-delivery, which was unfounded.
“This is partly due to wrong beliefs about modern medical care and poor basic scientific understanding of the female anatomy and physiology,” she said.
Fadhlina touched on sexual harassment of women at the workplace.
“This is a serious crime happening in our society. There needs to be greater advocacy and awareness among women, of all ranks, of sexual harassment,” said Fadhlina, who called on the authorities to implement clear policies on sexual harassment, with strict action taken against perpetrators.