30 years committed to women's health
Presentation
The Dexeus Mujer Foundation was created in 1995 with the aim of improving sexual and reproductive health care for women. It arose from the desire of a team of doctors who, many years earlier, saw the need to create a centre dedicated exclusively to this purpose, at a time when this speciality was underdeveloped and still suffered from shortcomings, both due to a lack of resources dedicated to research and a lack of professionals with specialised training in this area.
The Foundation was created by a team of doctors who, in the 1970s, set up a centre dedicated exclusively to women's health to address a long-standing deficiency
The launch of the Dexeus Mujer centre in 1973 marked a turning point in medical care in the fields of gynaecology, obstetrics and reproduction in Spain. It became a benchmark that contributed decisively to driving progress in these fields. It also placed our team among the pioneers who promoted change and made possible the introduction of many medical and technological innovations, from the use of epidural anaesthesia during childbirth to the development of reproductive medicine in our country.
Today, the Foundation focuses its activity on four main areas of work: research, training, dissemination and social action
The Foundation currently works in four main areas: research, training new specialists, dissemination and social action through welfare programmes that contribute to improving women’s well-being and quality of life.
The work it does is essential, especially when we consider that gender bias still exists in the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases that affect women, as these are based on studies conducted mainly on men. Furthermore, although the internet has multiplied access to information, misconceptions and social ignorance still persist in many aspects related to women’s health.
Their work is essential to improving the quality of life of women, now and in the future, as only 1% of total healthcare spending on R&D is currently devoted to research and innovation in women's health, excluding cancer
On the other hand, according to a report by the World Economic Forum, only 1% of total healthcare spending on R&D is currently devoted to research and innovation in women’s health, excluding cancer. However, Dexeus Mujer has been leading specific studies and clinical trials for more than 30 years, organising conferences and scientific meetings, collaborating with institutions and supporting external researchers through the annual awarding of prizes and grants to promote the advancement of knowledge and improvement in diagnosis and treatment in this specialty. This work not only benefits our patients, but all women, because the results are published in influential scientific journals and shared in relevant scientific forums, giving them international reach.
The Foundation has also been offering specialised training for many years. The Dexeus School of Obstetrics and Gynaecology is the oldest in its field in Spain. We were also the first to create a university master’s degree in Assisted Reproduction in Spain and to carry out post-ablation genital reconstruction in Spain, as well as promoting a programme that offers free surgery and psychological support to women who have been victims of this practice in their countries of origin. This initiative is part of our social action work, which includes many other programmes.
Thanks to its track record and commitment, the Dexeus Mujer Foundation has established itself as a benchmark in the promotion of women's health and the generation of scientific knowledge with a gender perspective
Thanks to this track record and commitment, the Dexeus Mujer Foundation has established itself as a benchmark in the promotion of women’s health and the generation of scientific knowledge with a gender perspective. Every advance in research, every improvement in medical care and every action that contributes to greater well-being for women reminds us of the importance of our mission, which is to promote a healthier future and a better quality of life for all.
Continuing to work in this field and being part of a team that dedicates its efforts and vocation to this goal is a source of personal satisfaction and, at the same time, a great responsibility that drives us to continue improving and advancing every day.
Prof. Nikolaos Polyzos
President of the Dexeus Mujer Foundation