MNH trains women how to deal with stress and manage finances

DAR ES SALAAM: OVER  1,500 women at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) have been trained to deal with stress, balance family life and work, and manage money.

Speaking while opening the Women Employees event in Dar es Salaam, MNH Director, Dr Delilah Kimambo, said that the hospital has a total of 3,000 employees, where women make up more than 70 percent of the staff, so it is important for them to ensure they take care of their health, especially their mental health.

“We should have a good message for patients because they are brought by problems, so we should be a part of their comfort, and we see here at Muhimbili that women are the majority, but if you go to the issue of those who give inappropriate answers, women add up to about 1,900,” she explained.

Dr Kimambo said women make a great contribution to the provision of services and the development of the hospital, so it is important to consider the ethics of service delivery.

She told the women that it is important to collaborate with men to ensure they create an environment of equality and cooperation.

“If we do not unite, we can contribute in some way to hinder development instead of promoting it, so everyone should ask themselves every day, what have you contributed to your community? Don’t wait to be given a chance, fight, and make your contribution.

She urged them to continue to collaborate and help each other to bring about real development.

“Justice and equality for women is not a matter of choice, it is the basis of the development of any society. If we ensure that women have equal opportunities, we reduce poverty and increase the well-being of the entire society.

For her part, the speaker at the event, Psychologist Sophia Sanga, said that a woman often carries many roles in society, such as being a mother, a family caregiver, an employee, and sometimes a leader in society. These many roles can put her at greater risk of experiencing mental health challenges.

“For example, studies show that depression affects women almost twice as often as men. The reasons for this are many, including child-rearing responsibilities, family challenges, financial problems, and sometimes pressure from society.

She also said that women go through hormonal changes in their lives, such as during pregnancy, after childbirth, and during menopause. These changes can affect their mood and mental health, and sometimes a woman may find herself feeling sad, angry, or unable to sleep for no apparent reason.

She also said that in the age of technology and social media, many women face pressure to look their best, where others compare themselves to the images they see online, and thus feel dissatisfied with their bodies, which can lead to eating disorders, self-destruction, or feeling inadequate.

“Therefore, it is very important for society to recognize and openly discuss women’s mental health. Women need support, advice, and a safe environment to talk about the challenges they are going through.