Bettering Indian Women's Sexual & Reproductive Health Requires A Mindset Reset

By: Rachita Sharma, Managing Editor | Tuesday, 23 January 2024

Women in India have been getting a shorter end of the stick when it comes to access to healthcare. According to fifth National Family Health Survey (NFHS), as many as 60 percent of women in India have difficulty in accessing healthcare services. From unavailability of healthcare providers & drugs, to lack of financial means to access medical facilities, women in India truly have to face an uphill battle to find healthcare solutions.

Matters concerning their sexual and reproductive health are even more complicated. Taboo and stigma reign supreme even in today’s times surrounding conversations about women’s sexual and reproductive health. Women often do not receive the right information and resources to lead a healthy life.

Owing to this, India is among one of the 10 nations across the world that contribute to 60 percent of global maternal fatalities, stillbirths, and newborn deaths globally and 51 percent of stillbirths. The findings by a recent United Nations report have highlighted the need for us to take a deep and hard look at where we are going wrong.

Interestingly, healthcare policy about women in the country is heavily focused on maternal health and family planning. Unfortunately, other sexual and reproductive needs take a backseat. This leads to plethora of Indian women being unable to get the right help for issues that are highly prevalent among Indian women.

The need of the hour is to build a strong healthcare system across the country that Indian women can rely on. Right from availability of experts, affordability to creating safe spaces for women to approach healthcare providers, a lot needs to be done.

Other than the Indian government and health ministry that is committed to making lives of Indian women better, this fight is being led by well trained experts. Specialists such as OB-GYNs are at the forefront of creating a supportive and non-judgemental space for women to come forward with their healthcare woes.

The current edition of Women Entrepreneur India highlights a few such women healthcare experts. In this edition meet Dr. Megha Shivraj Jadhav, Director & Co-founder at Dr. Jadhav Multi-specialty Hospital. She is a dedicated healthcare leader and co-founder of Dr. Jadhav Multi-specialty Hospital. Her journey from doctor to entrepreneur reflects resilience and commitment. Balancing multiple roles, she drives impactful changes in healthcare, guided by empathy, dedication, and family support.

Joining her is Dr. Anshumala Shukla, Minimally Invasive Gynecology, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital. She has been an esteemed faculty member at AAGL and IAGE Annual Conferences, conducting live Robotic workshops.

Dr. K. Shilpi Reddy, Clinical Director – Obstetrics & Gynaecology, KIMS Cuddles is another woman leader highlighted in the magazine’s current edition. She has 18+ years of expertise and excels in treating infertility and high-risk pregnancy cases. Renowned for her natural birthing techniques and laparoscopic surgeries, she is committed to elevating women's health standards and providing compassionate, comprehensive care.

Read more about these women healthcare experts and how they are improving healthcare services for Indian women.

Do let us know your thoughts.