Mayor bowled over by attempts to roll back what fellow GP insists is 25 years of endometriosis neglect
Date published: 18 September 2024
Dr Anita Sharma (centre) is founder of the Endometriosis Awareness North charity
The Mayor of Oldham visited a bowling club to see how a fellow GP and her campaign were attempting to 'hijack' endometriosis ignorance.
Dr Zahid Chauhan OBE addressed guests at nearby Norden who included MPs, medics and sufferers of a condition that new research has shown, has not progressed in treatment for 25 years.
And the Mayor’s presence has spurred organisers onto believing that they can change all of that – even though their Endometriosis Awareness North campaign is a small one based in Oldham.
“Dr Chauhan organised the world’s first COVID vaccination clinic which was a tremendous achievement and has us believing that we can alter ignorance within the population and the medical profession,” said founder and local family practitioner Dr Anita Sharma.
“Endo affects one-in-ten women, brings chronic and constant pain and can even lead to dark thoughts.
"The recently published NCEPOD (National Patient Outcome) report said women felt dismissed and discarded and over three quarters think that the health service has not listened to them.
"The fact that our treatment of endometriosis hasn’t progressed since the last century, is an absolute disgrace.”
The campaign which has won Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham’s support, runs education sessions at local schools and has spoken at major conferences for everyone from junior doctors to senior physicians.
It also has a number of “endo warriors” who use their stories to encourage and inspire others.
Former Metrolink ticket inspector Siobhan Kennett said: “Endo is a daily grind of pain and tiredness, and this is compounded by a lack of understanding not just from the public but medics, too.
"The fact that we have been backed by Dr Chauhan is a massive boost in getting the word out there about better understanding and quicker diagnosis.”
Dr Chauhan told guests: “Endometriosis is a chronic condition often leading to severe pain, infertility, and fatigue.
"Early diagnosis and proper treatment can make a huge difference in managing symptoms, but awareness is key.
"As Mayor of Oldham, I thank Dr Anita Sharma for sharing her insights and to everyone involved for the important work they are doing to raise awareness of this condition.”
Learn more about Endometriosis Awareness North at: https://endometriosisawarenessnorth.com/
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