Leading experts discuss ways to improve vaccination access for women

Gurugram, May 3, 2025: Vaccination is one of the best methods of protecting women's health, and it is essential that we continue to focus on its significance, especially among young girls. Projects like this will help drive awareness and ensure we reach all women who require protection, says Dr. Alka Singh, Gurgaon's Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Singh was addressing the experts from medical fraternity at the inaugural ceremony of Daffodils by Artemis Hospitals in Gurugram. 

The ceremony was followed by a thought-provoking discussion highlighting the importance of vaccination among women and girls. The discussion brought together leading medical minds and powerful voices. It was centered on breaking barriers and overcoming challenges, pinpointing the pivotal significance of giving priority to women's health through vaccine awareness and availability. It was organised by Daffodils by Artemis Hospitals in collaboration with the Gurgaon Obstetrics & Gynaecological Society (GOGS) and the Federation of Obstetric & Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI).

Dr. Devlina Chakravarty, Managing Director of Artemis Hospitals, delivered the welcome address, highlighting the hospital's commitment to women's health and welfare, underlining the importance of innovation and patient focus in contemporary healthcare. She said, "At Artemis Hospitals, we are deeply committed to creating healthcare experiences that are not only clinically advanced but also compassionate and personalized, as we all know every pregnancy is a unique and transformative journey, and we believe every woman deserves to experience it in a space that offers safety, comfort, and dignity. Keeping this in mind, we have shifted Daffodils, our committed maternity care facility, within Artemis Hospital, where pregnant women can now be provided with professional care in a peaceful, luxurious setting. This is another step towards redefining maternity care with empathy, innovation, and excellence, added, Dr. Charavarty."
 

The inaugural panel highlighted the significant role of vaccination in safeguarding girl's and women's health, presided over by renowned expert Dr. Nutan Agarwal and chaired by renowned professionals Dr. Saroj Kumar, Dr. Veena Bhat, Dr. Suman Bishnoi, and Dr. Kiran Arora. The discussion was focused on the life saving capability of vaccines such as HPV - saving women from cervical cancer, and Tetanus - important for maternal health, highlighting the need for early and extensive immunization.

Challenges and Solutions, moderated by Dr. Reeta Darbari and Dr. Neeru Thakral, brought together an esteemed panel of doctors, including Dr. Promila Malik, Dr. Ritu Jain, Dr. Avantika Sharma, Dr. Renu Raina Sehgal, and Dr. Ragini Agarwal. The discussion covered; cultural stigma, misinformation, rural inaccessibility, and economic barriers, which were obstructing vaccine reach among women. The experts advocated successful solutions like mobile clinics, public private healthcare collaborations, and targeted education campaigns and urged the need to fill gaps in awareness and ensure equitable access to vaccines for all women.

According to the experts, "Vaccination is a foundation of public health. We've made a lot of progress, there is much to be accomplished. Together, healthcare experts, organizations, and the public can ensure that women have access to lifesaving vaccines. The solutions we heard today will assist us in closing gaps in awareness and coverage, making vaccines available to all women and girls in our nation."

The event aimed to unite medical leaders to campaign for a future where every woman and girl, regardless of their status, has a right to a healthier, secure life through vaccination at the appropriate time.