Women's health GP named president of Rochdale Inner Wheel women's group

Dr Anita Sharma

A GP with a special interest in women’s health has been named the 2022-23 president of the Rochdale Inner Wheel women’s group.

Dr Anita Sharma, an Oldham GP who works in Rochdale, was named president of the group – which is closely linked to the Rotary humanitarian effort – on 22 June.

Dr Sharma said: “I am honoured and thrilled to be the President of Rochdale Inner wheel. 22 June was a proud day and big moment to accept this role with a pledge to do things for deserving causes.”

The Indian-born and raised doctor has chosen Endometriosis North as her presidential charity for the year, which will benefit from the group's fundraising events.

She explained: “As a GP with special interest in women’s health, this comes high on my agenda.

Endometriosis is a relatively common and potentially debilitating condition with one in 10 women suffering from it. It takes seven-and-half years, on average, to make a diagnosis and women suffer not only with physical but also mental, emotional and psychological ill health.

“Health and wellbeing of women is critical to the wellbeing of the society as a whole. After years of waiting, the Vision for the Women’s Health Strategy for England was published in December 2021.

“The call for evidence ran for 14 weeks from 8 March to 13 June 2021. This included a public survey, which was open to all individuals aged 16 and over in England, an open invitation for individuals and organisations with expertise in women’s health to submit written evidence, a focus group study with women across England, undertaken by the University of York in collaboration with the King’s Fund.

“The strategy’s aim is to improve the health of all women and girls. People who are trans, non-binary or have VSC, variation of sex characteristics, who will have specific needs and experiences, are also included in the strategy.

“While women in the UK on average live longer than men, they spend a greater proportion of their lives in ill health, not only gynaecological and obstetrical but also mental, emotional and sexual when compared with men. There are also growing geographic differences in women’s life expectancy with poorer health outcomes in the north.”

Dr Sharma added: “I am also going to support our chosen international charity, International Foundation, for mother and children’s health to raise health awareness among women of all ages, educate and empower women to make better health choices.”