Empowering women’s healthcare
Eluvo Health goes beyond just reproductive health, according to the doctor, who said they understand the multifaceted nature of women’s well-being and offer a holistic approach. Dr. Olivarez, currently pregnant with twins herself, emphasized the importance of this philosophy.
Dr. Violago-Olivarez’s ‘Pairfect’ interview with DAILY TRIBUNE managing editor Dinah Ventura.
PHOTOGRAPH BY DAILY TRIBUNE
Statistics speak volumes about the lifesaving impact of the dedicated work of a group of medical professionals, the Obstetricians and Gynecologists (OBGYNs), who stand as guardians of women’s health. In fact, the World Health Organization has reported a staggering 64 percent decline in the global maternal mortality rate since 1990, a testament to the critical role skilled birth attendance by qualified healthcare professionals plays in saving mothers' lives.
Similarly, neonatal mortality rates have plummeted by 39 percent globally since 2000. These advancements can be attributed in part to the dedication of OBGYNs, who provide essential prenatal care, facilitate skilled deliveries, and collaborate with neonatal specialists to ensure the well-being of newborns.
Preventive care, a cornerstone of OBGYN practice, includes vital screenings for cervical cancer, sexually transmitted infections, and breast cancer. Additionally, they address menstrual irregularities, hormonal imbalances, and offer contraception options, empowering women to make informed choices about their bodies.
Dr. Jaycy Violago-Olivarez.
It is against this backdrop that DAILY TRIBUNE’s digital show Pairfect, hosted by Managing and Lifestyle Editor Dinah Ventura, interviewed Dr. Jaycy Violago-Olivarez, an OBGYN on a mission to revolutionize women's healthcare in the Philippines. Inspired by her grandfather, a doctor who dedicated his life to public service, Dr. Olivarez has always felt a calling to improve healthcare access for women.
This passion took root early on. “Even before going to medical school,” she explained, “I felt a natural pull towards caring for women. It’s a vast field, but also incredibly rewarding. In OBGYN, you're not just caring for one patient, you're caring for two already (the mother and the unborn child).”
However, witnessing the state of women’s healthcare in the Philippines first-hand left Dr. Olivarez frustrated. “There's a clear gap between public and private institutions,” she said. “Even in the private sector, there's a lack of information and fragmented services. Women often struggle to find the care they need, resorting to friends or referrals just to navigate the system.”
