Dr. Sunita Tandulwadkar, a globally renowned infertility specialist, endoscopic surgeon, and gynecologist, has been officially appointed as the 63rd President of the Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI). The ceremonial installation took place during the 67th All India Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (AICOG 2025) at the Jio World Convention Centre.
In her new role, Dr. Tandulwadkar is dedicated to addressing critical challenges in women’s health and improving healthcare accessibility, education, and preventive care across the country.
“Leading an organization like FOGSI, which represents over 46,000 obstetricians and gynecologists from 277 societies across India, is both an honor and a responsibility,” said Dr. Tandulwadkar. “This position enables us to implement transformative initiatives that empower women with the knowledge and resources to lead healthier lives. Programs like Sampoorna: Swastha Janma Abhiyan, Know Your Numbers, and Do Teeke Zindagi Ke focus on proactive health management and early interventions to create lasting change.”
Key Challenges in Women’s Health
India faces several pressing issues in women’s healthcare that require immediate attention:
- Maternal Health and Mortality: High maternal mortality rates persist, with inadequate pre-conceptional care and antenatal checkups as key factors.
- Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): Rising cases of chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and anemia among women are fueled by unawareness, unhealthy lifestyles, and limited healthcare access.
- Cervical Cancer: India’s high incidence of cervical cancer is largely due to low awareness and limited uptake of HPV vaccination.
- Healthcare Access: Rural and underserved areas often lack quality healthcare, leaving women without timely treatment for conditions like PCOS, fibroids, and infertility.
- Reproductive Health Awareness: Limited education about reproductive health leads to late diagnoses of conditions such as endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and infertility.
Transformative Initiatives Under Dr. Tandulwadkar’s Leadership
- Sampoorna: Swastha Janma Abhiyan
This campaign emphasizes pre-conceptional care to enhance pregnancy outcomes and reduce maternal and neonatal mortality.- Impact: Over 1 million women will benefit from health camps promoting planned pregnancies and better management of health indicators like weight, blood pressure, hemoglobin, and blood sugar. This is expected to lower maternal mortality by 20% in key regions and improve neonatal health outcomes.
- Know Your Numbers
A health data collection initiative focusing on vital statistics such as weight, blood pressure, hemoglobin, and HbA1C levels for over one million women.- Impact: Early detection of chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension will help prevent complications in 10 lakh women annually. Insights from this program will guide targeted healthcare policies for urban and rural populations.
- Do Teeke Zindagi Ke
A large-scale initiative to combat cervical cancer through awareness campaigns about screening and HPV vaccination.- Impact: With a goal to reach 5 million women and girls, the program aims to increase HPV vaccination rates by 30% in key regions within a year, significantly reducing cervical cancer cases.
About FOGSI and AICOG 2025
FOGSI, representing over 46,000 obstetricians and gynecologists nationwide, is committed to advancing women’s health through advocacy, education, and research. AICOG 2025 serves as a platform for healthcare professionals and policymakers to share insights, foster collaboration, and explore innovations in obstetrics and gynecology.
Dr. Tandulwadkar’s presidency marks a pivotal moment in FOGSI’s history, with her initiatives poised to tackle pressing health challenges and empower women across India, building a healthier and more inclusive future.