New business seeks to remove shroud of shame from sexual and reproductive health issues
Determined to peel away the veil that sometimes covers how sex and sexuality are addressed locally, young medical doctor Patricia Douglas has opened a consultancy company to provide quality, non-clinical sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services.
“Sex and sexuality and all things surrounding them are shrouded in shame and secrecy and the effects are detrimental, such as unplanned and unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, infertility and many times death,” Dr Douglas said when she announced the opening of her consultancy business.
She noted that even when such matters are addressed, most times the focus is from a medical perspective, “forgetting that individuals are a whole and it’s not only the physical that should be addressed”. It was also pointed out that services, such as pre-menstrual and puberty awareness packages and sexual intimacy sessions focused on sexual pleasure for couples and even singles are not being offered in the country.
And so Dr Pat’s SRH Consultancy, located at 185 Charlotte and King streets, is set to start seeing clients next month by appointment.
According to Dr Douglas, the consultancy will facilitate individuals and couples having expert advice on sexual and reproductive health with all aspects of sexual health being targeted inclusive of SRH specific disease prevention, pregnancy prevention, and sexual pleasure. “The care will be holistic (mind, body and spirit) and individually tailored,” she promised.
It is not a solo operation. Dr Douglas or Dr Pat as she is more fondly known, has several other experts on board to give that holistic treatment her business plan has touted.
Dr Pat is a medical doctor with a master’s degree in sexual and reproductive health from the Queen Margaret University in Scotland and founder of the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Adventures, a grassroots organisation that seeks to promote sexual and reproductive health and rights with a special focus on family planning/ contraception in Guyana.
Also on board are Kean Dey, Reisa Roberts, Nateica Garraway and Dr Sara Scott, who are all SRH counsellors with expertise in various areas as it relates to sexual and reproductive health. Dr Amanda Gray is sub-contracted to the business as its resident Obstetrician and Gynaecologist.
Dey has a degree in international
The business logo of Dr Pat’s SRH Consultancy business
relations and is set to start another degree in psychology. She has volunteered with SRHR Adventures for the past five years.
Roberts, the holder of a degree in pharmacy, has had over six years of experience in SRHR and has taken the lead role in many of the SRHR Adventures projects inclusive of the first infertility symposium in Guyana.
Garraway is the holder of a degree in biology with training in sexual reproductive health and other areas at local and overseas institutions.
Dr Scott, who is currently pursuing a masters in Family Medicine, hopes to sub-specialise in women or adolescent health. She has also been on board with SRHR Adventures for many years.
Subcontractor Dr Gray is pursuing her masters in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
The services the business will provide include general SRH consultations, family planning counselling, contraception counselling, preconception counselling, fertility counselling, prenatal and ante-natal counselling, postnatal counselling, singles/couples’ sex education, menopause management counselling, female hormone balance counselling, SRH talks for pre-adolescents and parents on puberty, menstruation and ageappropriate talk on sex and SRH awareness sessions at organisations such as workplaces and religious institutions.
To make appointments or get further information persons can email dr.patssrhconsultancy@ gmail.com, whatsapp +592627965 or check out Dr Pat’s SRH Consultancy on Facebook and Instagram @dr.pats_srhconsultancy.