New Delhi: As the world prepares to mark World Health Day 2025 on Monday, the spotlight shifts to some of the most critical yet overlooked pillars of public health—safe pregnancies, empowered motherhood, and the early detection of life-threatening conditions among women. This year’s theme, “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,” reinforces the urgent need to invest in maternal and women’s health as a pathway to building resilient, healthier communities.
At the heart of this conversation is the call for a return to natural and safe birthing practices. With Caesarean sections becoming increasingly common—often without medical necessity—experts stress that normal deliveries remain the safer and more empowering option for most women. “Childbirth is not merely a medical event; it’s a deeply personal, life-affirming experience that should be approached with respect, compassion, and the right support systems,” says Dr. Vinoad Bharrati, Obstetrician and Gynecologist, and Director of the Elite Momz unit at Rising Medicare Hospital.
Globally, complications related to pregnancy and childbirth claim the lives of nearly three lakh women each year, while approximately two million newborns do not survive their first month of life. Another two million are stillborn annually. These sobering statistics underscore the need for systemic change. Dr. Bharrati emphasizes that with appropriate antenatal care, balanced nutrition, safe exercise, and emotional readiness, childbirth can be made significantly safer. Postnatal care is equally crucial, especially in addressing major causes of maternal mortality such as postpartum hemorrhage.
Strengthening neonatal care is another urgent priority. Equipping every maternity facility with basic and advanced neonatal care units, and scaling up the availability of Level 3 NICU beds, could dramatically reduce newborn deaths. Simultaneously, there is a pressing need to expand access to high-risk obstetric care and trained medical personnel, especially in underserved and rural areas. Enhancing the national vaccination program with additional life-saving vaccines and launching adolescent health and women’s awareness initiatives could further strengthen maternal and child health outcomes in the long term.
Women’s health challenges, however, extend beyond pregnancy. A growing concern is the rising incidence of breast cancer, particularly among younger women. Dr. Namrata A. Singal Sawant, Director and Senior Breast and Women’s Imaging Consultant Radiologist at Vcare Imaging Diagnostic Center in Mumbai, draws attention to an often-overlooked issue—breast cancer during pregnancy and lactation.
In India, one woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every four minutes, and one life is lost to it every eight minutes. These are not just statistics; they reflect families disrupted, dreams unfulfilled, and lives cut short. Dr. Sawant stresses that early detection remains the most effective weapon in combating breast cancer. Yet, too many young women—especially those who are pregnant or breastfeeding—tend to dismiss breast lumps, mistaking them for benign hormonal changes or blocked milk ducts. This delay in diagnosis can prove fatal.
However, hope lies in medical advances. With timely diagnosis and tailored treatment plans, many women can safely undergo cancer therapy without harming their baby—and often while preserving their fertility. Dr. Sawant, in partnership with Fujifilm India, has been working to expand breast cancer screening programs for underserved women, advocating that increased awareness and access are the real game changers.
This World Health Day, both experts call for a collective awakening. Maternal and women’s health must not be treated as isolated issues—they are the cornerstone of a society’s well-being. From ensuring safe childbirth to promoting early cancer detection, every action taken today paves the way for healthier generations tomorrow.
