By Cassandra Luis J. De Leon

Far Eastern University (FEU) Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) highlighted the importance of accessible obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN) services within the University to contribute in creating a healthier and manageable learning experience for students.

Last February 24, YWCA posted a survey on reproductive health experiences to assess the need for administering OB-GYN services on campus.

Out of 387 survey respondents, 375 students showed interest in availing accessible OB-GYN services within the school once administered.

In an online interview with FEU Advocate, YWCA President Yamyla Ysabelle Velez explained that an OB-GYN on campus would ease the validation process and will help students keep up with their academic responsibilities.

“According to our survey; so majority, which is 375, agree that having an OB-GYN in the UHS [University Health Services] would improve student well-being and academic performance,” she expressed.

As mentioned by Velez, female students diagnosed with reproductive health conditions, such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), experience disruptions in their academic progress.

“This is a testament na naapektuhan talaga sila ng period nila… Even outside menstrual problems, like for instance, ‘yung pagkakaroon ng PCOS… Not only ‘yung pain ‘yung nakakaapekto sa academic performances nila, but also ‘yung fluctuating hormones,” the YWCA president added.

Moreover, personal factors and the process of referring students to external clinics affect their decisions not to have their absences validated, causing them to miss classes or assessments.

Velez shared that the lack of funds and access to OB-GYN services hinders students from presenting a medical note from external clinic doctors, which UHS requires for validation.

The students pointed out that the lack of OB-GYN services at the University is a factor on why the validation process is complicated.

“We hear a lot of complaints, and we also would love to empathize with our fellow women with regards to their struggles with menstrual needs and even validating their absences… They went through different places just to validate their absence, but at the end, ‘di na-vavalidate ‘yung [absence] nila because it’s very inconvenient and very rigorous,” she said.

The survey is part of their proposed House Resolution No. 10 in the FEU Congress, which urges the UHS to hire a licensed Obstetrician-Gynecologist.

Additionally, YWCA aimed to gather data on their own experiences to strengthen their grounds for proposing a reproductive healthcare service that will cater not only to women, but to every individual of all sexual orientations.

As part of the FEU Congress, YWCA as an organization looked for ways on what services and opportunities they can raise to represent women as well as make a difference in the FEU campus.

FEU Advocate has reached out to the UHS last March 5 to ask if they were consulted in administering the services, but has yet to receive a response.

(Photo by Jazmine Pineda/FEU Advocate)