Published: 19 May, 2023
Afghan women refugees have benefited from dedicated sessions that aimed to raise awareness of the importance of looking after their health. Victoria Rowlinson, clinical services manager for specialist services, delivered educational sessions to women in gtd healthcare’s Afghan Relocations and Assistance Programme, which provides primary care services to the Afghan people to ensure their health needs are met. Victoria said she was keen to share expertise and knowledge to Afghan women and equip them with useful health information. “I organised a series of health talks which focused on cervical screening, breast screening and the importance of checking the breasts, contraception and accessing healthcare,” she said. “It was important to keep the sessions informative and provide them with the opportunity to ask any questions and discuss any other healthcare concerns with me. Several women did come and speak to me about other illnesses and I was pleased to be able to share my knowledge and educate them." The Afghan Relocations and Assistance Programme provides relocation or other assistance to current or former locally employed government staff; this is to reflect the changing situation in the country. Victoria joined the organisation in April and is already transforming patient care and improving health, healthcare and people's experiences of it.