Amid all the tranquility and peace within the picturesque landscapes of the rural communities hides stark realities, often overlooked. These realities are profoundly structured around women, the silent strugglers bearing the harsh banter of social and cultural norms. One section that is frequently overlooked is the health challenges women face in these regions. 

Women encounter a horde of health issues exacerbated by societal constraints, limited healthcare resources, and a lack of basic healthcare knowledge. Although continuous strides for the betterment of rural healthcare are taken, the plight of rural women still looms over these communities.  

One of the primary concerns rural regions face regarding healthcare is the shortage of efficient resources. Poor medical facilities and infrastructure coupled with long distances render medical facilities out of reach. Rural women suffer the most regarding inefficient medical care. As a result, either they opt for home remedies for critical illness or neglect the conditions until the health worsens. Basic healthcare which also includes maternal health and prevention methods remains out of reach for many rural women, exposing them to various reproductive health risks.

Additionally, traditional social and cultural norms also play a vital role in restricting women from making important decisions regarding their health. Rooted patriarchy and compulsions to follow the rules hinder the ability of rural women to gain insights and information regarding self-healthcare. Cultural norms of keeping women confined within the four walls lead to narrow-mindedness, low self-esteem, and lower confidence. 

An example can be the societal taboos regarding menstruation, where women in many rural areas are not allowed to even step out of a room. Hence, these women lack the basic knowledge of menstrual hygiene, causing serious health issues. Women often wear ordinary clothes because buying pads from medical stores is embarrassing and financially straining. The use of ordinary clothing can have adverse effects and increase the chances of serious infection which may be risky shortly. 

One of the critical reasons why rural regions suffer from proper healthcare is economic instability. Financial constraint is a traditional curse in rural areas that hinders growth in every aspect. In the present time, suffering from a chronic illness is a profound hit on the economy. 

Therefore, people in rural communities avoid expensive treatments increasing the chances of serious illness. Women take a direct toll on financial instability as they are often dependent upon their spouses to support them financially and if some serious illness occurs, dependency on money increases often delaying the treatments.

Amidst all the challenges rural women face, recognition and grassroots mitigation methods adoption can be a way to bring change. Various public and private sectors are aware of the healthcare system in rural communities and are focusing on advancements in the field. 

Conducting training programs and workshops on educating the rural people about health and hygiene, especially the women suffering, and investing in establishing healthcare facilities can serve as a bridge to shrinking the gap between healthcare and rural communities.

Considering all the impacts on rural women due to restricted access to healthcare, Online Chikitsa Mitra, a rural health-tech start-up, as a part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR), is committed to women's health empowerment by setting up health camps in over 50 medical stores in different states. The program aimed to provide free check-ups to over 100 women across the country and conduct health assessments and consultations by specialist doctors.

Recognizing the limitations rural women face, Online Chikitsa Mitra is committed to providing valuable assets regarding women's healthcare. Through the initiative, the venture provided checkups covering the parameters like blood pressure, blood sugar, oxygen, BMI, and temperature. It also provided consultations by experts, sharing valuable knowledge on what to do and how to approach any critical illness.

Impact Created

The health camps are spread over 50 medical stores in the states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam, Orissa, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, and Karnataka. Strategically setting up the camps across these regions, Online Chikitsa Mitra, benefited the rural women of diverse communities. 

A medical team of experts included cardiologists, gynecologists, pediatricians, nutritionists, dermatologists, and more. It also collaborated with SKD Hospital and Mayo Hospital in Lucknow for seamless health checkups in the camps.

The team of experts was led by Dr. T.P. Singh, (M.B.B.S., M.D., D.T.D.C., D. Card.), the Secretary General of the Uttar Pradesh TB Association, and clinical advisor of Online Chikitsa Mitra. He brought his expertise alongside the specialists for adequate guidance and support. Smriti Tandon, Co-founder of Online Chikitsa Mitra expressed her delight by stating that their goal to empower rural women's health has been successfully conducted across various states, and motivated by such huge gatherings in the camps, they plan to expand the reach and impact more rural communities.

Way Forward

The realm of efficient healthcare facilities observes gender disparities on a large scale. Health challenges faced by rural women are complex and set an example of social inequalities among the rural regions. However, recognition and initiations centered on empowerment and efficient healthcare have made significant strides. 

Seeking the issues of rural communities and acting accordingly to provide efficient solutions can ignite the chain of corporate responsibility motivating other ventures for social empowerment.

Online Chikitsa Mitra, sets an example of a well-executed corporate social responsibility. The initiative to prioritize women's health and empowerment has driven communities toward healthy living. Women across the country face restrictions regarding access to quality healthcare, but with a staggering response to the free health camps, the venture has proven to provide women with efficient medical resources and share insights on self-health. The successful initiative should be observed and publicized for better reach across the private and public sectors across the country. 

Realizing sustainable living requires approaches that consider not only healthcare but also socio-economic parameters. Collaboration of public and private sectors and conducting initiatives that aim to improve healthcare, education, and disparity is imperative. Investing in such initiatives can uplift rural women and ensure their well-being through knowledge sharing.