The Federation of Obstetric & Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI), the apex body for all the obstetricians and gynaecologists in the country has unveiled the ‘Vision 2022’, incorporating long-term initiatives aimed at building a healthy India. The Federation is working to ensure an overall well-being of women, including better healthcare services and societal perception.

For any developing nation it is imperative to have a healthy population, which in turn, will reduce the economic burden. About 30 per cent of India's population is in the adolescent age group of 10-19 years and it is estimated that there are almost 331 million adolescents. They represent a resource for the future.

Now FOGSI has resolved to address major health issues affecting the population of the nation, particularly the womenfolk. The Vision 2022 captures our aspirations and goals to make India a vibrant and healthy nation, said Dr Hema Divakar, president, FOGSI.

The Federation adopted a multi-pronged approach to tackle four different issues: ABCD covering anaemia among adolescent and pregnant women; building contraceptive choices; cancer cervix; and diabetes. While 56 per cent of adolescent girls are anaemic, tackling the health issue can also reduce the Maternal Mortality Ratio. Cancer cervix has reached an alarming proportion among the Indian population while diabetes has assumed an epidemic proportion in the country.

“We are bringing into practice a primary prevention model, to address all these problems. It involves capacity building of the medical and paramedical staff. We have intensified training for obstetricians, gynaecologists, medical officers, primary health care centre staff and ANMs/ Staff Nurses across the nation through various programs. We are also in the process of starting DIP (Diabetes in Pregnancy) clinics with the assistance of specialists,” she added.

Several such initiatives launched by the FOGSI will be strengthened through ‘Vision 2022’. It will discuss the best practices that allow unprecedented impact on women’s health care in India,” said Dr Harshad Sanghvi, director & vice-president, Johns Hopkins Programme for International Education in Gynaecology and Obstetrics.

At the same time, FOGSI envisions to foster a paradigm shift to ensure that the perception towards women changes. For, without a change in perception towards women and girl child, addressing the macro health problems will remain a challenge, he added.

The Federation is working to save the girl child, education and empowerment of women to ensure adolescent health focusing on wellness through anaemia eradication, sex education, vaccinations, contraception, and HIV/AIDS care. It would also tackle gestational diabetes and cancer cervix and reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases.

In association with the Johns Hopkins Programme for International Education in Gynaecology and Obstetrics (JHPIEGO), FOGSI launched ‘Helping Mothers Survive’ (HMS) aimed at reducing the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR).

“Ensuring health for all is feasible through public private partnership. The maternal healthcare offered at the Chamarajanagar First Referral Unit (Karnataka) in association with the FOGSI is a role model for the state and is now positioned for a scale up.  We hope that the state governments will replicate this model in other regions too,” said Dr H Sudarshan, honorary secretary, Karuna Trust.