Guwahati: The President of the Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI), Jaydeep Tank, has revealed that the organization is trying to improve maternal healthcare access in rural and remote regions across India, particularly in Northeast India. FOGSI is tackling disparities in maternal healthcare, addressing the unique challenges faced by underserved communities, and ensuring that all women, regardless of location, have access to quality care with over 44,000 members spread across 272 societies.
During an exclusive interview with Business North East (BNE), FOGSI President Jaydeep Tank discussed the ongoing efforts to make healthcare more accessible to people from Northeast and other parts of rural India.
India's healthcare system reflects stark disparities. Many rural and remote areas, especially in the Northeast, struggle with inadequate infrastructure and resources, while major cities boast modern healthcare facilities. Shedding light on how FOGSI plans to tackle these challenges, Jaydeep Tank said, "FOGSI’s initiatives are specifically designed to address these disparities and improve the standard of care for mothers, especially during pregnancy and childbirth."
One of its key initiatives, the Manyata program, aims to raise the standard of care in small private healthcare facilities, which often are the only available option for maternal care in rural areas. These clinics frequently lack standardized care protocols, leading to inconsistent and sometimes unsafe healthcare. The Manyata initiative seeks to address these gaps by implementing uniform standards across these facilities, ensuring that women receive consistent, high-quality care.
In the conversation, Jaydeep Tank emphasized that FOGSI has strategically partnered with the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NEBH) to help small private clinics adhere to higher standards. This collaboration aims to enhance healthcare infrastructure, improve maternal and neonatal outcomes, and provide safer pregnancies, particularly in rural areas, where access to care is limited.
Jaydeep Tank also highlighted another critical initiative funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation focused on improving maternal care during the intrapartum period, when many maternal deaths occur. The program, which covers 29 districts across four states, specifically targets small private healthcare facilities that struggle with limited resources.
By enhancing healthcare infrastructure, providing training for healthcare providers, and promoting innovative technologies like intravenous fetal heart rate monitoring (IV FCN), the initiative seeks to improve the quality of care during childbirth, ultimately reducing maternal mortality. Tank noted that this partnership is crucial in improving the safety of women during labour, as intrapartum complications are a leading cause of maternal death in India.
Tank said that FOGSI has been working in the Northeast for many years through its local societies, which have been instrumental in providing healthcare services and sharing critical health information with local communities. A major focus of FOGSI’s work is in the Northeast, a region plagued by healthcare challenges due to its geographic isolation and limited resources.
One of the most pressing concerns in the Northeast is the high maternal mortality rate in the tea plantations, where thousands of women workers lack access to adequate healthcare services. Tank revealed that FOGSI is planning a new project aimed at improving healthcare infrastructure in these tea plantations and introducing life-saving interventions for women during childbirth.
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While the project details are still being finalized, Jaydeep Tank shared that the initiative will focus on enhancing medical services in these areas and training local healthcare providers. "The goal is to improve maternal care by ensuring that women in tea plantations have access to timely and effective healthcare critical to reducing maternal mortality in these communities," Jaydeep Tank told BNE.
At the core of FOGSI’s strategy is the empowerment of local healthcare providers. FOGSI ensures that healthcare professionals in rural and remote areas stay updated with the latest medical practices and innovations through its network of local societies. Tank emphasized that this grassroots approach is essential for ensuring women in these underserved regions receive the best possible care.
FOGSI’s work in the Northeast, particularly in the tea plantations, highlights the organization’s commitment to improving healthcare in the most underserved areas of the country. The involvement of local FOGSI presidents and secretaries is essential for ensuring that medical information, training, and services reach even the most remote communities.
Tank further expressed FOGSI’s dedication to bridging the healthcare gap between urban and rural India. With a focus on improving care in small private clinics, enhancing intrapartum care, and addressing the specific needs of the Northeast, FOGSI is striving to make maternal healthcare more equitable across the country.
As these initiatives continue to unfold, Jaydeep Tank emphasized that FOGSI remains focused on improving maternal health outcomes for women, particularly in rural areas. With the support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, partnerships with NEBH, and, especially focusing on underserved regions like the Northeast, FOGSI is paving the way for a more equitable healthcare system in India.
FOGSI’s commitment to improving maternal healthcare is significant for bridging the gap in India’s healthcare system and ensuring better health outcomes for women and children. The organization’s efforts are crucial in regions like the Northeast, where healthcare access has long been a challenge, marking a significant step towards a healthier, more equitable future for all women in India.
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