New Delhi: The “Aarogya Yog Yatra,” a nationwide initiative aimed at improving the health of Indian mothers and infants, was launched in collaboration with UNICEF and the Federation of Obstetric and Gynecological Societies of India (FOGSI). The campaign kicked off in Tirupati at a spiritual center, with FOGSI President Dr. Sunita Tandulwadkar marking the start of this year-long journey that merges modern medicine with spiritual traditions.
The initiative will visit 13 spiritually significant locations across India, with the goal of fostering a culture of proactive health management among women and healthcare professionals. Dr. Tandulwadkar emphasized that the campaign’s uniqueness lies in its holistic approach, combining medical technology and India’s spiritual heritage to reduce female morbidity and mortality, focusing on promoting healthy pregnancies and addressing women’s health issues early on.
The campaign also highlights the important yet often overlooked issue of maternal mental health. Dr. Syed Hubbe Ali, Health Specialist at UNICEF India, pointed out that a significant portion of women—33% suffer from anxiety, 20% from depression, and 40% from pregnancy-related stress. He emphasized that the campaign seeks to integrate maternal mental health into the healthcare system.
The initiative features two key components: “Know Your Numbers,” which gathers critical health information like blood pressure and hemoglobin levels for preventative treatment, and “Sampoorna: Swastha Janma Abhiyan,” which focuses on preconception care for better maternal and neonatal health outcomes.
The launch event, attended by dignitaries and members of the medical community, including MLC Dr. Cipai Subrahmanyam, underscored the potential of the “Aarogya Yog Yatra” to revolutionize women’s health care in India.