‘’Women need to be more serious and proactive about their health’’

As a renowned healthcare entrepreneur, how is the playing field for women entrepreneurs in this arena?

It depends. I can speak from my experience and tell you my own story. It has been difficult for me to take up the venture and drive the initiative, not because I’m a woman, but because the whole idea of preventive health check-up was a new and radical concept, when we started out in 2000.

Generally speaking, irrespective of being a man or a woman, hard work and perseverance are required to make any venture a success, and especially so if it is in healthcare.

What are the unique challenges that you faced as a woman entrepreneur?

As an entrepreneur, the real challenge came from a certain section of the doctors who felt their livelihood would be at stake if people take to the idea of preventive healthcare. The ‘push’ factor as far as selling is concerned also met with resistance from people in general, as many were not open to the idea of pro-actively undergoing a medical check-up without the symptoms of any illness.

We convinced the doctors by making them understand the fact that if people are more conscious about their health and take proactive measures in terms of a medical check-up, the likelihood of early detection of a certain class of diseases like cancers, heart diseases or diabetes, at an early stage would not only increase the chances of survival for the patient, it would give the doctors a meaningful chance to successfully treat them.

With lifestyle diseases like cancers, heart diseases, diabetes, etc. the symptoms are not manifested until the damage is almost complete. Making ‘asymptomatic’ people understand this basic fact through interactive seminars with doctors, was something that brought about a shift in perspective and made them realise the importance of early detection and as a corollary, preventive medical check-ups.

How has Indus Health plus grown over the years and what are its goals for the current year?

The last 12 years saw Indus grow in the state of Maharashtra and spread across its length and breadth. Today, the word Indus is synonymous with preventive healthcare. In the next ten years we aspire to have a pan Indian presence and make Indus a household name amongst every Indian. We have already taken bold steps in making that dream a reality. Indus is present in nine states which include Maharshtra, Goa, Karnataka, Gujarat, MP, UP, Harayana, Delhi & NCR, and Andhra Pradesh. We have recently forged tie-ups with Apollo Hospitals in Ahmedabad and Hyderabad, and Vikram Hospital in Bengaluru. We have already screened a population of 3.5 lakhs and have a modest ambition of reaching out to a million people in the next five years. We also wish to extend our reach from the present number of 29 cities to 50 cities in a couple of years.

What are the strategies planned to achieve the set targets?

The strategy is simple. We will try and create more awareness on the fatal nature of lifestyle diseases to encourage and enlighten asymptomatic people about the life saving benefits of a preventive health check-up. We will also try to build new tie-ups with premium hospitals and diagnostic centres in cities we are yet to enter.

Moving on to healthcare in India, what are major issues in women’s health? How can they be tackled effectively?

The responsibilities of a modern working woman far outweigh that of a man. As a mother she cares and nurtures her children, as a daughter or a daughter-in-law she cares for her parents and in-laws. As a wife she cares for her husband and the household chores, while as a professional she cares for the work. An involvement, both emotional and mental on so many fronts and at so many levels takes its toll on a woman’s health. Gynaecological disorders like endometriosis, infertility and menstrual disorders have been co-related to stress. Rise in medical conditions like polycystic ovaries and breast tumours, though not related, leads to stress and depression. Other physiological disorders include hormonal imbalance, high blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms, higher cholesterol levels, weakened immune system and damaged arteries leading to the development and progression of cardiovascular disease, especially coronary heart disease. Certain physical effects are also manifest in the form of frequent episodes of migraine, hair fall and obesity.

In spite of being a pillar of strength and happiness for the whole family, a woman’s health more often than not receives the least priority. The apathy is encouraged by the woman herself in most cases as she places the well-being and good health of her family far ahead of her own. The change, therefore, has to take place in the mindset, especially that of women, more than anything else. With the increase of gender specific diseases, the necessity of a regular monitoring of women’s health is beneficial not only to her per se but to the whole family. A pro-active role on the woman’s part to care for her own health is therefore the road ahead.

What are the services offered especially for women by Indus Health Plus? Are there any plans to augment it with any more additions?

We do offer a special package for women. The package includes tests that can help in early detection of breast cancer and cervical cancer. Tests to detect problems in the heart, thyroid, liver, lung, and blood are also included.

What are your recommendations to improve healthcare delivery for women?

Women need to be more serious and proactive about their health.

What is your message for other women entrepreneurs?

Never stop believing in your dream. Work hard. You will make it.

lakshmipriya.nair@expressindia.com