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IF YOU believe that you can buy every thing with money, you are mistaken. We live in an enlightened world or so we are told. However, sometimes the power of wealth and glitter of religion also can’t take you far if the dominant society incarcerates you in a golden cage of ignorance. The women of Saudi Arabia are a living proof of this statement.
Today, the women of Saudi Arabia - one of the richest countries on earth have access to every material thing and information through magazines and websites. However, what they miss is free air and open exchange of thoughts and ideas. If health experts are to be believed, Saudi women are still leading unhealthy lives as they are unaware of basic health principles. According to the research done by several local and international health organisations, including the National First Care and Preventive Medicine, Saudi Arabia is ranked as one of the worst countries in terms of obesity, diabetes, blood pressure, osteoporosis and cancer rates.
Dr Munirah Balahmar, a consultant of community medicine and head of the health awareness unit at the First Care and Preventive Medicine Department made this observation, “The majority of Saudi women are careless about protecting their health. This carelessness is also affecting children. Most Saudi children become victims of their unhealthy mothers. Large numbers of Saudi children are suffering from obesity and diabetes at early age. Saudi women are ignoring basic health activities such as eating a balanced diet and exercise.”
To stamp the statement of Dr Munirah another prominent expert Dr Wafa Faqih, director general of the First National Association for Women’s Care in Jeddah and assistant professor for King Abdul Aziz University’s Faculty of Medicine, “Women have ignored advice on how to protect their health. Most Saudi women are suffering from osteoporosis, cancer and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The absence of awareness on how to safeguard themselves have increased the risk of women contracting these diseases.
She claimed 30 per cent of women are risking death because of osteoporosis, while 90 per cent were ignoring advice on how to avoid sexual diseases.
And if it sounds strange to those, who believe that Saudi Arabia is an El Dorado, it is more shocking to learn that many Saudi women are suffering from STDs but they do not know how to avoid catching them. Some sexual diseases can lead to infertility.
According to Dr Faqih some Saudi women are also indulging in illegal drugs, herbs, and online medication. This trend is mostly visible in women, who want to lose weight, prevent hair loss, treat their skin, and generally look younger without consulting specialist physicians.
She called on the Ministry of Education to implement a new syllabus on health care for primary school.
Too much of anything suffocates including religion.
