Anaemia remains a serious challenge in women’s health, with over 67% of pregnant women affected, Shalini Rajneesh, Chief Secretary to the Government of Karnataka.

She was speaking at the International Women’s Day celebration organised by Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) on Thursday.

She described the extent of anaemia as alarming and called for urgent attention. Despite being biologically strong, many women suffer from anaemia due to underlying social factors, she said. She stressed the need to prioritise women’s health to ensure a healthier future generation.

Ms. Rajneesh pointed out the lack of focus on preventive healthcare training among medical professionals. “While we train healthcare workers to treat diseases, we often fail to equip them with preventive care skills she observed,” she noted.

Emphasising the importance of empathy in the medical profession, she stated that qualities such as compassion, care, empathy and kindness, often associated with women, are essential for doctors to truly serve patients.

Ms. Rajneesh said, “While doctors handle numerous cases daily, for each patient and their family, it is a matter of deep concern. Therefore, every patient must be treated with utmost care and compassion

Dr. Bhagawan B.C., Vice-Chancellor of RGUHS, highlighted that society becomes stronger when women support each other rather than compete. Mohammed Mohsin, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare (Medical Education), Dr. B.L. Sujatha Rathod, Director, Directorate of Medical Education and others were participated.