Women not given adequate representation in the healthcare and pharma sectors: Irani

• Over 4 cr women have undergone breast screening for cancer detection under Centre’s Ayushman Bharat, says Irani
• Gujarat accounts for nearly a fourth of all pharma exports: Minister for Women and Child Development

NE BUSINESS BUREAU

AHMEDABAD, MAY 1

Hailing the contribution of 66 lakh women who have contributed to the protection of the country during the pandemic, especially the female workers who conducted door-to-door surveys to collect samples, Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Irani here on Sunday but lamented that they were not given adequate representation in the healthcare and pharma sectors.

She was speaking at the inaugural session of a national conference on “Soaring heights of empowerment in pharma and healthcare industry”. She hoped that the conference would help to generate dialogue, discussion and drive outcomes towards the goal of more women in these sectors.

She also honoured 19 persons from both sectors for their excellent contribution to these vital sectors. The minister also launched a knowledge report on “Future impact on Pharma & Healthcare with Diversity & Inclusivity: Vision 2030”.

As many as 4.07 crore women have undergone breast screening for detection of its cancer, while 3.16 crore others were screened for cervical cancer under the Centre’s Ayushman Bharat Yojana, Smriti Irani said.

In Ahmedabad today, participated in a conference on “Soaring Heights of Empowerment in Pharma & Healthcare Industry – Diversity & Inclusivity”. Urged the industry to strive towards increasing participation of women who form one of the largest consumer groups for Pharma sector. pic.twitter.com/Ir2tP3XAdg

— Smriti Z Irani (Modi Ka Parivar) (@smritiirani) May 1, 2022

She also said that as many as 45 crore visits by women have been registered in the last two years at the health and wellness centres set up under Ayushman Bharat, the Centre’s health protection scheme, for primary health care.

The sheer number of women beneficiaries under the Ayushman Bharat scheme shows why it is “profitable to enhance the role of women in pharmacology and healthcare”, she said.

“Breast screening under Ayushman Bharat – especially remember this is for the poorest of the poor in our country – has been over four crore seven lakh. For screening of the cancer of the cervix, the number of women who get themselves screened under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana is 3.16 crore,” she said.

Visited ‘Blossom – Women & Childcare’, an initiative of K D Hospital in Ahmedabad & launched book ‘50 Inspiring Women – boys & girls should read about’. My compliments to all the women who have featured in the book & extend my best wishes as they continue set to new standards. pic.twitter.com/fKt1mHmaPB

— Smriti Z Irani (Modi Ka Parivar) (@smritiirani) May 1, 2022

“Now tell me ladies and gentlemen, do we have that many female specialists only in this one particular sector?” she asked.

“Look at us (women) as consumers, who want to ensure that we have the best of medical practices by women who lead out of sheer competence,” she said.

In her sugar-coated pill, Irani also raised the issue of bias against women workers in the pharma and healthcare industry, and said that only 11 percent of the workforce in the sector comprises women. Five percent women are in sales and marketing, 12 percent in manufacturing, and 25 percent in corporate functions, she said.

“If we, the best and the brightest of minds, do not acknowledge the problem and do not address the elephant in the room, how are we then, irrespective of our gender, going to find the solution?” she asked.

The minister lamented the absence of women participants at the conference and pointed out that only a few topics to be discussed during the event revolved around women.

“The bias is so deep-seated that educated people also practise that culture…Our bias , our prejudices, our fears are so deep-seated that we see women excel right before us and we still treat them with gloved hands,” she said.

Of the $24 million exports exports achieved by India, Gujarat accounts for nearly 25 percent,

State  Food and Drugs Control Administration Commissioner Dr HG Koshia spoke at length on “Growth Trajectory in Pharma and Healthcare.”

Speaking on the launch of the Conference, Deepa Sharma, Conference Convenor, said, “Focussing on empowering Women entrepreneurship and participation in healthcare and pharma to drive dialogue and action – this was the goal of the conference. And with the participation of Hon Smritiji, we have made a huge beginning in this direction. With a goal to contribute to the national agenda of celebrating AzadiKaAmritMahotsav, we hope that the conference is instrumental in fuelling the entrepreneurial spirit.

Reinforcing these sentiments, Vinod sharma, Founder – Prime Foundation, said, “The noble sentiments expressed by Smritiji will help properl Gujarat’s pharmaceutical industry further, with the participation of women entrepreneurs. Both the tenets of diversity and inclusivity have been given a further boost with the encouragement given by the Hon Minister. In a conducive ecosystem, the only way is to progress together. ”
Speaking about the conference Dr Viranchi Shah – National President Indian Drug Manufacturers’ Association said “Business is in in every Gujarati’s DNA. And with the emphasis on strong participation by Women given by the Hon Minister Smritiji, I am confident that more participation from Women entrepreneurs & professionals will happen. The deliberations and outcome from this conference will help the stakeholders to have a look on how to further strengthen diversity and inclusivity in this industry.”

The conference also stressed on the importance of Diversity and Inclusivity in these sectors and the thrust to Make in India and help bring more women into the mainstream through enterpreneurship.

The awardees are