New FOGSI president unveils initiatives to transform women’s healthcare in India

Dr Sunita Tandulwadkar an infertility specialist endoscopic surgeon and gynaecologist was formally installed as the 63rd President of the Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India FOGSI during the 67th All India Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology AICOG 2025 at Jio World Convention Centre on WednesdayldquoIt is both an honour and a responsibility to lead an organisation as influential as FOGSI which represents over 46000 obstetricians and gynaecologists across 277 societies in Indiardquo said Dr TandulwadkarThrough this role she aims to address critical challenges in womenrsquos health and advance healthcare accessibility education and preventive care across IndiaKey health challenges faced by women in IndiaSome key challenges in womenrsquos healthcare in the country that need to be addressed on priority includeMaternal health and mortality Despite progress India still faces a high maternal mortality rate Lack of awareness about preconception care and inadequate antenatal checkups are major contributing factorsNoncommunicable diseases NCDs Women in India are increasingly at risk of chronic conditions such as hypertension diabetes and anaemia Unawareness poor lifestyle habits and limited access to healthcare exacerbate these issuesCervical cancer According to a 2022 report by Global Cancer Observatory cervical cancer is the second most common type of cancer among women in India This is largely due to limited awareness about preventive measures like HPV vaccinationAccess to healthcare Rural and underserved communities often lack access to quality healthcare services with a significant number of women not having regular checkups or timely treatment for conditions like PCOS fibroids and reproductive health issuesReproductive health awareness Many women lack access to basic education on reproductive health often leading to late diagnoses of conditions such as endometriosis ovarian cysts and infertilityInitiatives to address challenges in womenrsquos healthcareRevealing initiatives for addressing the above challenges and improving womenrsquos healthcare in the country Dr Tandulwadkar said ldquoThis presidency provides an unparalleled opportunity to launch initiatives that empower women with knowledge and resources ensuring healthier lives and stronger communities Through programs like Sampoorna Swastha Janma Abhiyan Know Your Numbers and Do Teeke Zindagi Ke we aim to create lasting change by prioritising proactive health management and early interventionsrdquoSampoorna Swastha Janma AbhiyanThis nationwide campaign emphasises the importance of preconception care to improve pregnancy outcomes and reduce maternal and neonatal mortalityExpected impactOver 1 million women will benefit from health camps and educational drives to promote planned pregnancies By addressing health literacy and raising awareness about managing five key health indicatorsmdashweight blood pressure hemoglobin levels blood sugar and thyroid functionmdashthis initiative is expected to reduce maternal mortality rates by 20 per cent in participating regions and improve neonatal health outcomes across the countryKnow Your NumbersThis health data collection initiative aims to gather vital statistics including weight blood pressure hemoglobin and HbA1C levels from over one million women across IndiaExpected impact By identifying early signs of chronic diseases like diabetes hypertension and anaemia this program is projected to reduce preventable health complications in 10 lakh women annually The initiative will also provide valuable epidemiological insights helping policymakers design targeted interventions tailored to the needs of diverse populations across Indiarsquos urban and rural landscapesDo Teeke Zindagi KeThis largescale project aims to combat cervical cancer by increasing awareness about screening and HPV vaccinationExpected impact With plans to reach 5 million women and girls through vaccination awareness campaigns this initiative aims to increase HPV vaccination rates by 30 per cent in key regions over the next year By prioritising education and accessibility the program seeks to significantly lower cervical cancer incidence ensuring a safer future for women nationwide