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“Women’s health needs to be at the forefront – it often isn’t, but it should be” In 2024, we will soon observe International Women’s Day. While everyone should prioritise their health irrespective of their gender, economic status, and age, whole year round, days like International Women’s Day should encourage a review of various women-related issues. Known by many names such as International Ladies Day, National Female Day, and International Female Day is basically to draw attention to issues that women face globally. One such area where we all need to focus our attention is the health status of women in India.
According to numerous studies, women typically experience a greater number of health issues than men. Osteoporosis, menopause, and mental health are just a few of the conditions for which women need to be on the lookout. However, one should always know that there are several things women may take to shield themselves from contracting any health condition.
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, which is celebrated every year on 8th March, we take the initiative to spread awareness about women’s health in India. Read on to understand.
Health Care for Women in India
Health is undeniably an essential factor that plays a role in every woman’s well-being. Women’s health in India can be easily evaluated through multiple indicators such as geography, culture and socioeconomic status. A variety of health issues currently affect women in India, including teen pregnancy, maternal mortality, and violence against women. Numerous lives are impacted as a result of these issues’ inevitable spread throughout society.
Nutritional Status of Women in India
We need to realize that women’s health awareness is much more important when it comes to issues affecting women’s health in India. This is because, in most households, it is the women who are not just the bearers but also the caretakers. The family and society are impacted by their health and well-being. The nutritional status of women is concerning, particularly in India and its underdeveloped regions. According to WHO studies, a lot of women ignore their dietary and physical needs, sometimes even when they are very young. A survey found that many women and teenage girls suffer from iron deficiency or anaemia in addition to being overweight or underweight. Data suggests that this results in a perpetuating cycle of undernourishment across generations. Undernourished mothers will probably give birth to undernourished babies.
Women’s Nutritional Status in Rural Areas
In honor of International Women’s Day, it’s important to pay attention to rural women as well. Most of them have to experience health issues due to their failure to meet their daily dietary requirements. Due to their inability to meet their daily nutritional requirements in rural areas, poverty levels are especially concerned about this tendency. Women’s sexual health is affected by deficiencies in calcium and folic acid. One main reason for foetal anomalies and the birth of children with deformities is inadequate nutritional consumption during pregnancy, particularly Folic Acid.
Women in rural and poverty-affected areas have to fight more health-related atrocities than those in urban areas. In rural areas, women face barriers to education and access to high-quality healthcare as they reach adulthood. Hence, lack of awareness in rural areas has led women to suffer from a poor and mismanaged healthcare system.
Plans for Women’s Health Insurance in India
Cases of Cervical Cancer in India According to the Lancet report, India and China are two countries with the highest number of cervical cancer cases in Asia. 23% of the 40% fatalities from cervical cancer worldwide are from India. 3,41,831 fatalities and 6,04,127 new cases were recorded globally in 2020; 21% of them were from India. As per the 2022, Global Cancer Observatory, out of all the new cancer cases reported, 32% were cervical, oral and breast cancer.
Inequalities in access to quality health care are reflected in the nation’s death toll. The key to decreasing these numbers is early diagnosis; a quick test called a pap smear can help detect cervical cancer and increase the likelihood that it will be treatable. Beyond the age of 35, regular pap smears can offer options for cervical cancer prevention.
Why is it Difficult for Most Indian Women to Access Healthcare?
Women in India suffer from gender bias, according to a Harvard University and India-based study. As a result, they have limited or no access to high-quality healthcare. Many stereotypes in India forbid women to voice out about the health issues they must face. While women are an essential pillar of the family and society, they suffer poor health outcomes nationwide. The reasons are aplenty. From socioeconomic limitations to cultural barriers, from geographic constraints to discriminatory practices and inadequate care, all these factors are responsible for poor women health in India. Not only do the women bear the consequences, but so do their families as well. Addressing these multifaceted barriers is, therefore, essential to ensure that women get equitable access to healthcare.
How Does a Bad Healthcare System Affect Women’s Reproductive Health?
The aspect of women’s health that receives the least attention is reproductive rights. Making safe abortion services readily available is still a concern, despite the fact that abortion accounts for 14% of all maternal deaths nationwide. To improve the standard of health, raising awareness about contraception and addressing family planning requirements is crucial. Establishing accountability for providing women with high-quality healthcare services so that they can be stress-free about their pregnancy-related issues is another important aspect of women’s rights.
In a Nutshell
The health crisis that women have to face is unfathomable. Because of this, Care Health Insurance’s maternity health insurance plans and critical illness insurance help them get high-quality care in India.
Not just on International Women’s Day 2024, but 365 days a year, we believe in celebrating the real essence of women to advance the future of Indian healthcare. The biggest advantage of health plans by Care Health Insurance is that apart from being comprehensive, most of these plans are suited for women across age groups as well as economic backgrounds. Affordable and readily available health plans are indeed a great way to ensure that when a medical emergency comes knocking, there are no financial constraints for seeking the best possible treatment. So, as we wish you a Happy International Women’s Day, we urge you to come forward and reach out for any support that could help you in a medical crisis.
