‘Indian healthcare sector understands the role of women as backbone of the care-giving system’

The essence of healthcare is healing. It is all about caring. And that is why women are so ideally suited for healthcare. This is being reflected in the ground reality of the sector– more and more women are being sought after for various roles in different facets of healthcare. This is a highly promising trend – a broader outlook towards quality healthcare is imperative to improve care-giving standards in India.

The healthcare industry is evolving and the increasing role of women in the health system is a significant aspect in advancement of treatment standards in the country. Today, majority of the staff, including doctors, other medical staff and management, in most medical facilities comprise women. Many of them are nurses who play a significant role in critical care areas where extremely ill patients require constant monitoring.

Women staff are always more in demand when it comes to maternal and child care, crucial areas in which India has to improve. Accredited Social Health Activists, known as ASHA workers, are a key component of the National Rural Health Mission and provide every village with a trained female community health activist. The journey has begun, but there are many bridges to be crossed. The critical need of the hour is to empower women professionals in the healthcare system so that their capabilities are optimally utilised for the betterment of the entire sector. Greater focus and cross-pollination of ideas can help nurture their talents and care-giving abilities. Doctors, academicians, policy makers and researchers must exchange ideas, policies and advancements for women professionals in healthcare sector by learning from the best, and adopting best practices in other sectors.

Nursing education in the country needs to be systematised in a way that it provides continuous education to the nurses for the growth and development in their careers. Moreover, hospitals and other medical facilities must take extreme care to understand the issues of their female staff as they are necessary for their functioning. With a broad enough canvas, and the tools to nurture their skills, and the environment to encourage their natural instinct to nourish and protect, women can naturally lead in the healthcare industry. They can apply their experiences, and help create a healthcare system that will shield and safeguard the nation’s health. That will ensure cutting edge healthcare, practiced with warmth and love.

– Sangita Reddy, Executive Director – Operations, Apollo Hospitals Groups