Professor Hassan Shehata, Senior and Global Health Vice President at the RCOG, reflects on the importance of the Gynaecological Health Matters Programme, its impact to date, and the College’s ambition to introduce the programme in new countries going forward.
Working with colleagues on the Gynaecological Health Matters (GHM) programme has been one of the most impactful experiences of my career. Neglected gynaecological health costs women and girls their dignity, their social, psychological, educational and financial wellbeing, and even their lives. The GHM programme shows that with the right investment, the right training, and a strong commitment to equity, healthcare providers can deliver vital care and tackle inequalities in gynaecological health, helping to overcome a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide.
Why is this programme important?
Gynaecological conditions affect millions of women and girls around the world, but remain chronically under-prioritised. In low- and middle-income countries this neglect is especially stark. Research commissioned by the RCOG found that non-cancerous gynaecological conditions accounted for more years lived with disability for women aged 15–49 than malaria, TB, and HIV/AIDS combined - diseases that attract far more attention and funding.
The consequence is that women and girls face significant barriers to accessing quality gynaecological care. Insufficient resources and inadequate training for healthcare providers lead to missed opportunities for early prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of gynaecological conditions.
This is what the GHM programme is designed to change.
Through the GHM programme we: train non-specialist health providers, via our comprehensive Essential
Gynaecological Skills training which covers topics such as cervical cancer, emergency gynaecology, and violence against women; conduct research to highlight the critical impacts of untreated gynaecological conditions; and, advocate for the prioritisation of gynaecological health on global health agendas, working with governments, donors, and stakeholders to secure greater recognition and funding.
We train frontline staff to ensure that high-quality gynaecological services are available from the moment a woman enters a health facility. No other global training currently focuses solely on gynaecological healthcare and, covering different gynaecological topics, our training supports healthcare providers to prevent, identify, manage and refer gynaecological disease with confidence, and a woman’s best interests in mind.
Gynaecological Health Matters - Bangladesh
We began our work in Bangladesh, partnering with the International Center for Diarrhoeal Disease Research and the Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society of Bangladesh. The programme achieved:
- Over 100 multidisciplinary staff trained in just two districts.
- 91% of providers showed improved knowledge and skills post-training.
- 95% of gynaecological cases are now being recorded, thanks to the first dedicated data system of its kind in the country.
- 100% patient satisfaction with gynaecological services.
I was also proud that the programme increased demand for gynaecological care through public engagement talks, empowering women and girls to seek treatment.
Gynaecological Health Matters - Nigeria
In 2024, we established an important partnership with the Africa Center of Excellence for Population Health and Policy and the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria to deliver GHM in Nigeria, a country where the burden of gynaecological disease, including obstetric fistula, is alarmingly high. This has been supported by the Global Health Workforce Programme (GHWP), funded by the UK Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), through Global Health Partnerships. Already, we have:
- Trained 20 expert trainers and 180 healthcare providers in Kano and Abuja.
- Received validation and adoption of our training materials from the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
- Seen 99% of trainees report satisfaction with the training, and 84% show measurable improvement in their knowledge.
Our ongoing collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has led to the inclusion of the RCOG’s Essential Gynaecological Skills training in Nigeria’s Safe Motherhood Strategy. At a recent workshop, Government representatives from six states across all geo-political zones – Enugu, Kaduna, FCT Abuja, Bauchi, Rivers, and Lagos – expressed support for roll-out of the training at State level. This endorsement marks a significant achievement, supporting long-term ownership, roll-out, and sustainability of the initiative.
This quote from a doctor who attended the training in Nigeria speaks to the benefits of the programme: “EGS training has made a real difference in how we assess and manage patients. Previously, we relied on visual judgement, deciding who looked sicker, but now, with early warning signs, we can objectively identify critical cases, such as those in shock, and prioritise them appropriately. This has improved patient outcomes, with reduced morbidity and mortality.”
What next?
The lack of political priority given to women’s gynaecological health around the world is resulting in a large burden of morbidity, preventable suffering and poor quality of life for women and girls. By establishing international partnerships and healthcare initiatives, the RCOG is leading the global call to action for policymakers, governments, healthcare services and NGOs to prioritise access for women and girls to high quality gynaecological services.
As the 2030 deadline for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals approaches, governments, non-governmental organisations and donors have a crucial role to play in promoting gynaecological health as a critical issue of equity and rights. Improving access to gynaecological healthcare is not only the right thing to do for women and girls, but the economic case is clear – a recent McKinsey report found that closing the women’s health gap could boost the global economy by $1 trillion annually by 2040.
The GHM Programme improves knowledge, positively impacts practice, and ultimately transforms care for women. At the RCOG, we have ambition to build on the impactful strategies implemented in Bangladesh and Nigeria and relationships with partners around the world to deliver the programme in new countries going forward. Our mission is to ensure that all women and girls have access to respectful, high-quality gynaecological care, no matter where they live.
- Read the Gynaecological health matters policy position here.