Infertility third largest health problem among women in Indore

A recent survey conducted by the health department to map the health standards of women in Indore under the ‘Gram Uday se Bharat Uday’ scheme revealed that infertility is the third largest health problem affecting women in Indore.

The survey carried out from April 11 till June 1 took into account the health standards of pregnant and non-pregnant women and adolescent girls.

“We surveyed the health conditions of women of all age groups to understand what the levels in the city are. A three-level survey was conducted beginning from the Anganwadi. The results are quite shocking for us as well as we never thought that infertility could be a problem especially in lower income groups,” said Dr Sharad Pandit, joint director health in Indore.

Though most of the women were referred to the next advanced centre from where they were taken for a health check-up, the health department now plans to introduce some measures to ensure that the problem is effectively tackled.

“Not every women who was made a part of the survey required an IVF, some had problems which could be treated through a surgery while others through medication,” said Dr Pandit. He added that it was for this reason that infertility was now being covered under the State Illness Fund (SIF) so that even the less privileged could enjoy motherhood.

Aimed at reaching the root of the problem at an early stage, another alarming health indicator which came forward during the survey was the prevalence of anemia in women.

6,000 women diagnosed with anemia

Around 6,000 women were diagnosed with anemia indicating that proper nutrition amongst women is still a challenge.

Prevalence of hypertension and diabetes were other diseases which caught the eye of the health department.

“This is just a primary data without much classification but we do plan to take up these cases further and effectively look for solutions. A meeting will soon be held in which we will be sanctioning some money and making special schemes to improve the health situation of women based on these parameters,” added Dr Pandit.