Crusading FGM doctor is honoured by Cameron

A junior doctor has received an award from David Cameron after helping to educate thousands of medical students about female genital mutilation.

Yvonne Obura put her career on hold as she spent a year visiting medical schools to highlight the scandal — subject of an Evening Standard campaign. She was inspired by a case in 2012 when an FGM victim arrived at the hospital where she was working in Slough.

Dr Obura, 26, was surprised so few doctors knew anything of the practice, which new figures show affects 137,000 girls and women in Britain.

She decided to put together training materials for medical students, with the help of London-based charity Orchid Project, and teach young doctors about FGM herself.

“I realised a lot of my colleagues did not know about it,” she said. “Even those who’d come across it before were quite uncomfortable about broaching the topic with a patient.

“I realised that not many medical schools teach it in their syllabus so I approached Orchid Project.”

After requesting and gaining permission, she visited 13 medical school and lectured students about the legal position, medical complications and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists’ policy.

“It is important for students to be trained before they become doctors so they don’t wait till they are in a clinical situation when they come across it for the first time,” she said.

“I’d like it to be on the curriculum because at the moment it’s just the interested students who come to the talks. If it was mandatory every student would have a basic knowledge.”

The Prime Minister presented her with a new Point of Light award, which recognises outstanding volunteers.

He said: “Only by working together to raise awareness of this disgusting and unacceptable practice can we end it for good. Yvonne is playing an important role in these vital efforts.”

Dr Obura said the Standard campaign has had a huge impact, adding: “Awareness of the problem has soared.”

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