This month, NYU Abu Dhabi’s Campus Center and the apparel worn by NYUAD residents turned pink in recognition of the university’s breast cancer awareness campaign. Yet, just as womanhood is not limited to the color pink, women’s health concerns are not limited to breast cancer. Last Pinktober, The Gazelle published a short piece outlining some of the health issues facing women on campus and suggestions on how to stay on top of them while studying in Abu Dhabi. In the year since then, there have been changes to the Health and Wellness Center as well as the products and services it offers.

One of the major changes to Health and Wellness is the rearrangement of the department itself. Over the past several months, several specialized teams have been developed in order to address specific needs students might have. A new team covering women's health issues has been established, and is composed of three female specialists: Halah Ibrahim, a medical doctor, Vedrana Mladina, a psychologist and Maya Oliver, a nurse. Health and Wellness emphasized that regardless of affiliation to a specific team, all its members work closely together and are capable of handling all conditions.

Recently Health and Wellness has focused on improving communication with the student body. NYU has updated internal protocols and communication networks, in order to ensure that students receive the same message, regardless of the point of contact. This applies to both NYUAD’s Health and Wellness Center attending to the needs of students based in Abu Dhabi, as well as its equivalent in New York attending to inquiries of prospective study abroad students.

Addressing one of the most common sources of doubt, Ibrahim assured that students have access to all types of gynecological care in the UAE.

“It is important not to confuse [the availability of] healthcare with whether it is covered by the health insurance. The students’ health insurance is there primarily to protect students in case of illness or injury. It doesn’t cover preventive or screening procedures,” explained Ibrahim, recommending that preventive tests should be be taken in students’ home countries with their primary health providers.

For some students this means that routine health procedures may only be done twice a year. Students are, however, encouraged to reach out to the Health and Wellness team with any questions, be it about treatment or prevention.

Changes with regard to women’s health have taken place outside of NYUAD as well. Following the opening of Abu Dhabi’s Danat al Emarat Women and Children’s Hospital in 2015, Brightpoint Royal Women’s Hospital was opened last April, and treatment there is included in NYUAD students’ insurance plan.

Hormonal treatment, used for the treatment of menstrual cramps, irregular menstruation or substantial acne, is available to students. As of last October, Diane-35 was the only readily accessible medicine. The broadened offerings include two to three more hormonal drugs women can now access, following medical consultation.

Women’s health — and health in general — is a balance of physical, mental and sexual health. Abu Dhabi based counselors are available to NYUAD students and an online appointment can be made to see a psychiatrist based in New York’s Health and Wellness Center. In an attempt to equip students with knowledge to make healthy choices at any point of their lives, the Health and Wellness Center joined with the Health Promotion Office to facilitate a series of Sexual Health Education workshops. Interested students will have a chance to learn about anatomy, hygiene and general sexual health during both gender-segregated and mixed sessions, planned for mid-November.

One of the points repeatedly spelled out by the Health and Wellness Center was being proactive about one’s health, regardless of the month of the year and one’s current location. Pink will soon give way to other colors, but focus on women’s health should remain a priority.