Nov. 5 – The “Bollini Rosa” Program of the Women’s Health National Observatory (ONDa) will be exported all over the world. The organization based in Italy begun identifying and labeling hospital suitable to women in 2007. To date, the Italian hospitals that can claim 1, 2 or 3 “pink stickers” are a total of 224. And the initiative now aims to engage proactively in training Italian hospitals abroad,
44 facilities located all over the world, from South America to Africa, and Australia. The beginning of this new “pink stickers’” was today, with a meeting in Rome of the World Alliance of Italian Hospitals, organized by Senator Contini. “The purpose of this meeting – explains Francesca Merzagora, President of ONDa – is sharing with the hospitals representatives the experience and knowledge acquired by the Centre in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of major women only diseases, in order to trigger a virtuous circle of improved services and training.” Among the features that a hospital must possess, the quality of the women’s care is paramount, accompanied by the patient insertion in a diagnostic and therapeutic path, which provides a safe environment, with appropriate facilities for childbirth and for psychiatric and psychological care of expectant mothers. In addition, hospitals must promote scientific publications, studies and researches, as well as the production of brochures and council areas for teenage mothers. Other minor services include the availability of parking spaces dedicated to women, and the presence of women cultural mediators. “The aim of our intervention – said ONDa’s president – is to raise awareness among experts and provide a basis for the rethinking of the present structure of Italian hospitals abroad, from a gender perspective, to improve equity, accessibility and use of services. The awareness that gender is a key parameter in clinical and health planning is the starting point for the creation of health measures adequate to women”.
