‘’Women in India participate equally to run the family; however, their health issues are neglected’’

Indian women are normally not concerned much about health issues and are least bothered about the preventive aspect of diseases. They prefer to take medical attention only when the disease reaches a painful condition. Even today in most of the households in India, though women participate equally to run the family, their health issues are neglected because her participation is not economically productive. The five most common diseases that women in India suffer from are anaemia, diabetes, hypertension leading to cardiac diseases, hormonal diseases like hypothyroidism, polycystic diseases of ovary and breast cancer. All these medical problems need to be given equal attention. Within the rural areas, stress should be given on proper nutrition and sanitation. This also holds true for the low socio-economic group in urban areas. Those belonging to high socio-economic group in the urban areas are prone to hypothyroidism, diabetes, hypertension and breast cancer. Hence, awareness should be created related to specific disease for the respective groups that they affect. Unfortunately due to excessive population in India, the health industry is mainly focused on diseased state and struggling with the treatment of sick people. More and more government and non-government organisations have to come forward to stimulate people regarding early state of diseases. Certain tests like haemoglobin, blood pressure, sugar level need to be done on a regular basis for early diagnosis of diseases. Further, self breast examinations should be taught to female health workers at dispensary level and involvement of more and more local girls and elderly ladies should be encouraged. For this, the government is continuously making efforts on its part to improve women health conditions. Addition of sodium iodide in regular salt has reduced the level of hypothyroidism in India drastically. The distribution of iron and folic acid tablets to pregnant ladies has improved infant mortality. Moreover, various awareness generating initiatives like staging of Nukkad Natak (street plays) and holding other teaching programmes are gradually improving rural health.

The private sector is engaged in activities like organising camps, public lectures, awareness walks etc. to make people more responsive to diseases. However, these initiatives are mostly limited to urban India.

– Dr Uma Rani, Senior Consultant, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Delhi-based Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute