EC Gynaecology

Guest Editorial Volume 12 Issue 5 - 2023

Improving Access to Women's Healthcare in India: The Role of Insurance and Doctors

Sabine Kapasi Shaikh*

IVF Specialist and a Health Policy and Governance Strategy Lead, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

*Corresponding Author: Sabine Kapasi Shaikh, IVF Specialist and a Health Policy and Governance Strategy Lead, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
Received: March 01, 2023; Published: March 17, 2023



Pregnancy-related complications are a significant concern for women in India, with maternal mortality rates being higher than in other developed countries. The lack of coverage is a significant concern for women's health, particularly given the high maternal mortality rates in India. According to the World Health Organization, India accounts for 15% of global maternal deaths, with a maternal mortality ratio of 174 deaths per 100,000 live births. These are several women specific health issues which lead serious or sometimes fatal consequences in the women population in the country. One of the major reasons behind this is lack of insurance products centering to women specific, gynaecological issues.

There are several reasons for the lack of insurance coverage for pregnancy-related complications in India. First and foremost, the high cost of premiums makes insurance unaffordable for many women. The National Sample Survey Office found that only 20% of women in India had health insurance coverage in 2014, with out-of-pocket health expenditures for maternity care accounting for 60% of total health expenditures for women.

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Sabine Kapasi Shaikh. Improving Access to Women's Healthcare in India: The Role of Insurance and Doctors. EC Gynaecology 12.5 (2023): 49-51.