In a unique initiative, the Indian Medical Association from June 9 is planning to reach out to its three lakh members and equip them to dispel taboos associated with discussing sexual health issues.
Dr. Deepak Jumani, sexual health physician at J.J. Hospital, said, “We need to overcome clinical inertia when it comes to discussing this topic with patients. There is definitely a need to educate doctors. There is not even a course on sexual health.” Dr. Jumani said that he started a fellowship in JJ Hospital last year and has trained four doctors under him.
Dr. Jumani, who is the chairman of the initiative, said sexual dysfunction has been linked to high risk of heart attack and stroke, and leads to psychological issues. He said, “Many doctors often don’t know how and what to ask. We aim to develop manuals that can help doctors to do the talking.” He said patients suffering from sexual health issues don’t want to take help and most men think it is an attack on their manhood to discuss such problems. “Not only do men suffer from depression, women too suffer due to intimacy issues,” he said.
The initiative also aims to produce a White Paper highlighting how sexual health as a subject is neglected and submit it to the government.
