pcv projects
roject $
& Lessons Learned
primary gynecologist due to lack of funds to pay the requested amount . These women were informed that it is against the law for them to be requested to leave their health booklets and they should not do so .
ROMA S . O . S . presented this lack of information as an example of problems Roma people have with access to healthcare services . A public debate was organized as part of another project activity (“ Roma Health - basic human right ” is a project that ROMA S . O . S . has been involved with for two years ) regarding the identification of problems faced by Roma women .
Speakers in the debate included the Director of the Fund for Health Insurance in Prilep , inspectors for the State Sanitary and Health Inspectorate , and the Executive Director of ROMA S . O . S . A few women interviewed for the gynecological survey were invited to participate in the debate , along with primary doctors and representatives of public health institutions . Through this debate , the representatives from the Fund for Health Insurance in Prilep and the State Sanitary and Health Inspectorate heard about real problems faced by Roma women , including lack of knowledge about their right to free gynecological services ( and being charged for those services ). The representatives have agreed to look into this problem . This change in the system could conceivably benefit thousands of women in Prilep .
Two women at the debate were encouraged to file a formal complaint with the Inspector of Health . The complaints were investigated and the gynecologists were ordered to take corrective measures .
“ Every woman must have a registered primary gynecologist and be able to access free examinations , PAP tests and gynecological services from the gynecologist ” is the slogan that arose out of the summarized data from the surveys , and this year ’ s 5 th annual International Women ’ s Day event on March 8th included an educational activity as part of the project “ Meet your gynecologist .” Data and recommendations obtained from the survey were presented to nearly 350 Roma women from the settlement Trizla 2 in Prilep . An additional 250 flyers were distributed throughout Trizla to women who did not attend the event .
This project and the survey information gathered has provided data that will continue to be used to inform healthcare professionals about specific gaps in the Roma community regarding their knowledge of healthcare , healthcare practices and healthcare rights .
Photos by Terri Jones
Spring 2013 – 31