It is widely accepted across the world that if you educate a woman, you educate the entire family. Similarly, if a woman’s health is taken care of both physically and mentally, the family’s health remains secured. Women are the nurturer and life giver and it is only them who can ensure quality care for their family and children. Ziqitza HealthCare Limited, a leading healthcare organization believes that the health of the communities and the families are directly connected to the women’s health.
Health plays an important role and it not only contributes towards the well-being of the humans, but also contributes towards the economic growth of a country. Ziqitza Healthcare Ltd explains women play a major role in a country’s economic growth, therefore their health is of paramount importance. However, in India, women’s health is shrouded with numerous concerns and influenced by various factors such as, sexual abuse, gender disparities, early marriage, domestic violence, poverty, illiteracy, access to quality healthcare etc.
Ziqitza HealthCare, points out that every year, around the world, May 28th is observed as the International Day of Action for Women’s Health, and during this time dialogue for women’s health and her rights garners focus.
Poor health is directly related to poverty and has adverse effects on the health of millions of women and adolescent girls across all countries. Poverty makes accessibility and affordability of quality healthcare services a challenge. Ziqitza Rajasthan, elaborates that women around the world are in general susceptible and vulnerable to poor nutrition, which impacts their health and well-being. In country like India, gender stereotypes a d discrimination, coupled with other ill practices such as early marriage, dowry, domestic violence, etc. negatively impact the health of women.
Ziqitza explains that the Indian government has over the years rolled out multiple regulations and policies that have laid out an extensive plan for better access to healthcare facilities for women. The National Health Mission of India, envisages universal access to quality healthcare, equitable and affordable health care services for all. In terms of improving access of quality healthcare for women, the National Health Mission seeks to achieve the below written indicators:
- Reduction of Maternal Mortality Rate to 1/1000 live births.
- Reduction of Infant Mortality Rate to 25/1000 live births.
- Reduction and prevention of anemia in women.
- Improvement in Reproductive-Maternal- Neonatal-Child and Adolescent Health.
Ziqitza Limited, stresses that women constitute 48.56 percent of eligible beneficiaries under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. The scheme is a flagship movement by the Government of India, which aims at providing health insurance of around rupees five lakhs annually for families for secondary and tertiary care hospitalizations, and there are 10.75 crore such beneficiary families.
Janani Shishu Surakhsa Karyakram: This scheme was launched by the government of India in the year 2011, and covers all pregnant women delivering in public health institutions. The scheme ensures that the deliveries are free of any cost, including caesarean sections. ZHL Rajasthan, explains that the programme was launched with the goal to eliminate all out-of-the-pocket expenses for pregnant women and sick newborns.
Janani Surakhsa Yojana: This yojana was launched with the aim to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality. The yojana promotes institutional delivery among pregnant women, especially the women from the low socio-economic sections. The yojana covers low-performing states in its design and offers cash incentives to women.
Ayushman Bharat-Health and Wellness Centers: Ziqitza Limited Rajasthan points out that an extensive network of more than 77000 health and wellness centers were made operational under the aegis of Ayushman Bharat with the goal to provide comprehensive healthcare to women. The centers provide and promote preventive healthcare among women and screen them for common non-communicable diseases.
Various Programmes to address Anemia in Pregnant Women: According to the National Family Health Survey conducted in 2019-20, women and children in India are largely anemic. The government of India, has undertaken innumerable initiatives across all identifiable sections of the populations across all States and UTs, to improve anemia among women and children. The central government under the purview of National Health Mission offers financial and technical support to all States for the implementation of Anemia Mukt Bharat programme.
The government of India, has taken cognizance of the situation and has rolled out various initiatives that offer to improve the access of healthcare services for pregnant women. Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan, this programme ensures that women and newborns receive access to healthcare facilities at zero cost, with aim to reduce maternal mortality and neonatal mortality rates. Similarly, Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan offers free of cost antenatal checkup for pregnant women. Under the aegis of the National Health Mission, the anganwadi centers organize a monthly village health, sanitation and nutrition day with the aim to improve maternal and child care and also to promote nutrition among women.
The government of India is leaving no stone unturned when it comes to ensuring that the women and adolescent girls across the nation receive the best access to quality healthcare.