Health Case Study for SET DEV project Presented on 27 th June 2009 at CWS, Secunderabad, by,Dr.S.V.Kameswari.

Health Case Studyfor

SET DEVproject

Presented on 27th June 2009at

CWS, Secunderabad,

by,Dr.S.V.Kameswari.

Few facts about uterus:

•The uterus is a major female hormone-responsive reproductive organ of most mammals, including humans

•Non-pregnant uterus is a thick-walled, pear-shaped organ measuring seven centimetres in length & weighing 70 grams.

•Pregnant the uterus is a large, thin-walled, hollow, elastic, fluid-filled cylinder measuring approximately 30 cms in length, weighing approx 1.2kg and having a capacity of 4- 5 litres.

•Weighs about 900 grams at the end of delivery, weighs only about 60 grams at the end of the 6 weeks after child birth.

•The cervix regains its shape & size more slowly than the uterus--the opening near the uterus involutes completely, outer opening of never regains its pre-pregnant state.

• The external os is a small, smooth circular opening.

• Normal parous cervix: The external os is a large, transverse, stellate slit

Process of Issue identification

& steps taken since 1999

Timeline of understanding issue & steps

taken since 1999 • Identification of Issue > 1999-2003 By running a rural clinic in Sadasivpet

• Placing in front of National Human Rights Commission: 26 July 2004

• Continued dialogue with different individuals

• Founder member of National Chapter of Third World Organization for Women in Science on 22nd April 2006

• Presentation of paper in IICT on 23 rd Sept 2006

Timeline of understanding issue & steps taken since 1999

• Development of Project proposal with support and encouragement from Director of Department of Biotechnology & submitted on 30th March 2007.

• Proposal Presented on 30th October 2007 in front of Scientific Committee, Department of Biotechnology, New Delhi

• Proposal revised and accepted in February 2008

Linking with Manifesto

• The study brings in the price we need to pay for creating new knowledge situations.

• The study also demonstrates the damage done to women in the name of Science & Technology

• The study demonstrates need for search to understand “Where we failed" and understand who prompted to open the Pandora Box

• The study systematically exposes failure of Medical Care System and its loss of HUMANE face and open’s up, value of “Dialogue circles” before decisions are made

Purpose

To initiate understanding on process of decision making and opting for hysterectomy, so that it will help us (SET Dev team) to articulate “why we need to be cautious before we use institutionalized knowledge systems in the name of Health Promotion”.

Objectives

• Short Term Objectives:

1. To understand the process of decision making for Hysterectomy by hysterectomised women.

2. To review health educational material on women’s health

3. To probe and record indigenous knowledge and their application for treating symptoms pertaining to women’s reproductive health

Long Term Objective

• The third objective of the above will continue and the specific initiative as part of long term objective will be –

> How decisions are influenced and practiced in Health care

Expected Output

• Acceptance that existence of no known knowledge on absence of uterus in 20 -40yrs women even in medical texts.

• Projecting the need to think beyond pregnancy & child birth.

Budget

• Total budget as proposed by the consultants for six months,is > 4, 11,200/-(Rupees four lakh eleven thousand and two hundred only.