New Delhi: There was no fog in sight; FOGSI was shining as never before, thanks to the leadership of its outgoing president Dr Hrishikesh Pai.
The over 40, 000 strong federation of Obstetrics and Gynecologists has taken a new avatar under his stewardship and ran across length and breadth of India flagging issues that confront women in the country namely gender inequality, anaemia, bone diseases and whatnots. 28 city run for gender equality speaks a volume about the passion and commitment infused in FOGSI for women good and their empowerment. बदलाव नारी स्वास्थ्य के लिए & नाना एनिमिया slogans rented the air during run.
FOGSI (Federation of Obstetric and Gynecological Society of India) has taken a life of its own and is poised to cast an indelible imprint on society and empowerment of women mission. In a ‘crowning’ function in Indian Medical Association Headquarters in the New Year (2024) organized for briefing about activities and the announcement of handing over the baton to upcoming leadership, Dr Pai was cynosure of all eyes. Veritable who’s who gynecologists all on the stage sang paean to his leadership. One of them, Dr Neeraja Bhatla, Professor & Head, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, AIIMS, Head, Gynecologic Oncology National Cancer Institute @Jhajjar, who will be a very important member in the upcoming team of leadership, said in clear terms that Dr Pai had set the standard of FOGSI very high and they had the great task ahead of keeping up the momentum.
The Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI) concluded the ‘Run for Gender Equality’ (SAMANATA) campaign at India Gate, New Delhi featuring participation from doctors and nurses across the city. The initiative, focused on raising awareness about gender equality, anaemia, bone diseases and RH immunisation, resonated nationwide, receiving an enthusiastic response from both the medical community and citizens. The campaign, supported by hundred thousands of people pan India, successfully brought the country together in addressing critical health issues.
The yatra comprised three phases, originating respectively from the west, north, and east regions of the country. In the West, it covered Mumbai, Pune, Nasik, Baroda, Ahmedabad, Surat, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Rewari, and Gurgaon. In the North, the cities of Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Chandigarh, Ambala and Rohtak, were captured. In the final leg, the run covered Cuttack, Sambhalpur, Bilaspur, Raipur, Jabalpur, Gwalior, Jhansi, Mathura and Faridabad.
The closing ceremony included prominent FOGSI members from across India to spread awareness about the women reproductive health issues. Some of the stalwarts included Dr Hrishikesh Pai, President, FOGSI, Dr Madhuri Patel, Secretary General, FOGSI; Dr Nandita Palshetkar, National Coordinator, FOGSI, Dr Alka Pandey, Vice President, FOGSI;Dr Asha Baxi, Vice President, FOGSI;Dr Geetendra Sharma, Vice President, FOGSI;Dr S Sampath Kumari, Vice President, FOGSI;Dr Niranjan Chavan,Jt. Treasurer, FOGSI; and senior leaders from Bharat Serum and Vaccines Limited. The campaign that caught the imagination of entire India was inaugurated on 25th November, 2023 at the FEMMTEK -IV FOGSI Presidential Conference in Mumbai.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Hrishikesh Pai, President FOGSI and & Trustee FIGO Asia Oceania (International Federation of Gynaecology) said, “Empowering women through awareness and knowledge, and encouraging the medical sector stakeholders, was the primary goal of the ‘Run for Gender Equality’ campaign. As a nationwide initiative held in 28 cities, this has been a step forward in facilitating well informed health decisions, and building of an equitable society in India.”
Anaemia is the underlying cause or contributing factor for 20%-40% of maternal deaths in India. About 45.7% of pregnant women in urban areas and 52.1% in rural areas have haemoglobinlevels <11 g/dl.1 Another specific challenge that exists in our country today is the significant number of Rh-negative pregnant mothers who are at risk while delivering Rh positive babies. India accounts for about 13.5 lakh Rh negative pregnant mothers (estimated figures) who are at risk while delivering Rh positive babies.
