Building a more comprehensive women’s health ecosystem

We all have dreams and aspirations in life. Each of us seeks growth, in our career, our personal relationships and our experiences. Contrary to the popular belief that hard work is the only thing required to achieve our dreams, I believe that, for our goals to manifest, we need much more. We need a good understanding of the world, an educated mind and most importantly, a healthy body. When we neglect our health, we sabotage our future.

As a woman, I’m aware that between the chaos of our homes and chasing our professional goals, healthcare often takes a backseat. We convince ourselves that we are healthy and skip regular care. Healthcare becomes all the more important during maternal phases of a woman’s life. Though the women’s healthcare system has evolved significantly, it still needs comprehensive reforms. There are certain healthcare challenges that are specific to women. For instance, a lack of access to sanitation or clean public washroom facilities, harmful ceremonial practices or customs, and other socio-economic factors. The chronic burden and stress of unequal distribution of household chores also falls on women.

The solution is a holistic approach to women’s healthcare. Today, women are actively participating in every field of activity, from science and technology to arts and literature. Women deserve an inclusive and safe health ecosystem to continue to thrive. At Cocoon Hospitals, we help ensure exactly that. Our vision is to offer a complete healthcare solution for women across different stages of life, from menarche to menopause. We are devoted to creating a space where women can access the best healthcare facilities while feeling informed, supported and stress-free. For young girls, this means access to menstrual hygiene, preventive healthcare and awareness, including important measures such as HPV vaccination. As women grow older, healthcare must also address reproductive health, family planning and reproductive autonomy, rather than viewing women’s health only through the lens of motherhood. And as women enter menopause and later stages of life, their healthcare needs continue to evolve, requiring greater attention to wellness, preventive care and long-term health.

Our society is kept alive by the empathy and light of women. When women suffer, the entire society, even the economy, suffers. A good healthcare ecosystem paves the way for women to be carefree about their health, for them to believe that if anything goes wrong, they will be looked after and get access to the best facilities for treatment.

A large part of what I want to build through Cocoon Hospitals comes from a simple belief: where a woman lives should not determine the quality of healthcare she can access. Much of our work is in Tier 2 cities, where women’s healthcare infrastructure and access to specialised care can still be comparatively limited. Women should not have to travel to a larger city to find the kind of facilities, expertise and care that should be available closer to home.

I want to change that. My goal is to bring the best possible facilities and a more complete healthcare experience to women in these cities, while keeping their needs at the centre of the conversation.

As someone who works extensively in the field of education, I understand that education cannot make up for lack of healthcare; however, it can assist in making healthcare a priority. It has been observed that women with higher levels of education make better and informed decisions about their health instead of neglecting it. Education helps overcome stereotypes and taboos regarding women’s health too. In addition, education and awareness about family planning can help women live significantly healthier lives while maintaining their autonomy.

For long, the women’s healthcare system has been neglected or sidelined all over the world. Education alone cannot do anything if a person isn’t healthy. Over the past few decades, the reproductive health of women has received substantial attention. Evidence-backed research and innovation have complemented the way women manage their reproductive health. This has significantly reduced maternal as well as infant mortality. However, the women’s health ecosystem needs to expand beyond just reproductive health and child-rearing guidance.

Nutrition, mental well-being, and preventive care need to be prioritised in order to bring about a transformative change in overall public health.

Investment in education and healthcare can be a cornerstone of the empowerment of women. A good life begins when basic needs are met and women across every stream of life can achieve their personal aspirations and professional goals. To close the gap in women’s healthcare, a paradigm shift toward evidence-based care that considers gender differences is vital. It is time we envision an India where every single woman has access to sanitation, timely medical care, and good-quality prenatal care.