Health Smart

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Health Smart is an interactive full-day seminar where we explore different paths to better well-being. With a focus on women’s health, this month covers reproductive health, postpartum depression, and menopause.

This full-day program will be facilitated by St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College (SPHMMC)

Reproductive Well-being of Women

Reproductive health is about the complete physical, mental, and social well-being related to our reproductive system. It isn’t about avoiding illness, but also having a safe, satisfying sex life and having children at the time of our choice. 

Reproductive health is an important part of overall health and quality of life. It affects not just the body, but also our thoughts, emotions, relationships, and life plans. Improving reproductive health leads to healthier families and communities. When we know our options and where to go to get the right care, we can make safe and informed decisions regarding our reproductive health. Let’s speak openly so that we all feel heard and get the support we need.

Outcome

Upon completion of this session, you will:

• Understand the value of reproductive health and its impact on your overall well-being
• Identify common reproductive health concerns and when to seek professional care
• Learn  the key components of reproductive health, including safe sex, contraception, fertility, pregnancy, and maternal health

Facilitated by Dr Messeret Ansa, CEO of the St. Paul’s Hospital Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine-Michu Clinic

Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression (PPD) is more common than you might think, yet, for generations, it’s been misunderstood, hidden behind forced smiles and dismissed as weakness or something “spiritual.” Only recently has the world started to listen and name it for what it truly is: a real, treatable mental health condition.

Let’s break the silence by unpacking the emotional weight many mothers carry, not to judge or fix, but to understand, support, and shift the narrative. Because when we know better, we can show up better for ourselves, for our loved ones, and for every woman who ever felt alone in her struggle. Join us. Let’s bring light to what too often stays in the dark and echo awareness that leads to healing.

Outcome

Upon completion of this seminar, you will:

• Understand what PPD is and its signs and symptoms
• Learn about the impacts of PPD on mothers, infants, and families
• Discuss available treatments and coping mechanisms
• Get tips on how to take actions that would reduce the stigma around maternal mental health

Facilitated by: Dr Meskerem Abebe, Head of the Department of Psychiatry at SPHMMC

Understanding Menopause

Have you noticed subtle changes in your mood, sleep, or energy, or seen women around you quietly struggle with things they can’t quite explain? Maybe it’s hot flashes in the middle of a meeting, unexpected anxiety, or a foggy mind that wasn’t there before. These could be signs of menopause: a natural, biological shift that marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years. But in many communities, including ours, menopause is often swept under the rug, dismissed as a “women’s issue” or mistaken for stress or aging. The silence around it leaves many women feeling alone, confused, and unsupported when what they need most is understanding and informed care.

It’s time we bring this conversation into the open. Whether you’re going through it, approaching it, or standing beside someone who is. Together, we’ll unpack the myths, recognize the symptoms, and learn how to be proactive and compassionate, both for ourselves and for others. Menopause doesn’t have to be a silent struggle; it can be a shared journey where awareness leads to empowerment. Let’s talk, listen, and show up for our mothers, sisters, colleagues, and friends—because informed communities create healthier, more supportive lives for everyone.

Outcome

Upon completion of this session, you will:

• Explain what menopause is and understand why it happens
• Know common symptoms, like hot flashes, sleep problems, and mood changes
• Know ways to manage symptoms
• Talk more openly about menopause and reduce stigma.

Facilitated by Dr. Mariamawit Asfaw, Director of Maternal, Child Health and Adolescent health service Lead Executive office at the Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health

Or Reserve by texting your name and “Health” @ 0947350259

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