21 Mar 2016

A group that supports people living with endometriosis held an awareness walk in Gaborone over the weekend.

Speaking at the event, the founding member of the group, who is also living with endometriosis, Ms Kgomotso Gagosi, said the walk was intended to spread the message about this disease, to help those recently diagnosed, those struggling with prognosis and those battling to be understood to find a voice.

She said members of endometriosis  had realised that there were no structures in place for people living with this disease therefore have found it fit to offer support to those battling with it.

Ms Gagosi noted that there was little or no knowledge of this disease in the standard medical care, hence the disease might take long to be diagnosed.

She highlighted that the endometriosis group wished to change this and bring endometriosis to the forefront of people’s minds.

One of the group members, Ms Aone Ditirwa, explained the pains of endometriosis as an unbearable and excruciating experience.

Ms Ditirwa noted that endometriosis affected women emotionally since they had  to live with pain throughout their lives. 

She said she was diagnosed with endometriosis at the age of 16 after a long battle with severe pains. 

She mentioned that her intention was to help women who might not be aware of the disease.

Meanwhile, Dr Mimi Raesima from the Ministry of Health said the ministry recognised the gap in diagnosing endometriosis in health facilities.

She said it was the responsibility of the ministry to provide good health to the public and the responsibility for individuals to care for their health by visiting health facilities to seek medical attention.

She however, applauded the endometriosis group for their initiative since they would work with the ministry to educate and raise awareness to the public about Endometriosis, adding that it will bring the public together with the ministry to fight this disease. Ends