The Silent Struggle: It’s Time We Fight PCOD/PCOS Together

A Message from Jeevandaan Foundation, Pune

How many women do you know who suffer silently with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) or PCOD? It’s often dismissed as just a "hormone problem" or a side effect of "a busy city life." But this isn't a small thing. It’s a huge health crisis affecting millions of our daughters, sisters, and wives, impacting everything from their ability to conceive to their long-term risk of diabetes and heart trouble.

We can't just silently hope for a miracle. This is a social problem that needs a big, unified movement. The Jeevandaan Foundation is calling on all of you to join the Daughters of जिजाऊ movement. Rajmata Jijau was a symbol of strength and sankalp (determination), and she built a powerful legacy. We are channeling that strength to demand a healthcare system that truly cares for our Nari Shakti (women's power).

The Hard Truth: Our System Needs Help

Our recent research, where we spoke to over 170 doctors and health workers across the public health system, tells a clear, often heartbreaking story: our medical staff are trying, but they are struggling. The problems are huge, and they hold our women back:

1. The Diagnosis Delay (The USG Barrier): The biggest physical roadblock is a lack of basic diagnostic tools. Our survey found that 36% of all providers identified inadequate investigation and USG facilities as a major constraint. For our front-line Medical Officers (MOs), who serve remote gaon (villages), this problem is even more acute, cited by over 42% of them. This means women often have to travel miles, spend their hard-earned money, and miss a full day's mazdoori (daily wage) just to confirm a diagnosis. The delay breaks trust, and many simply give up.

2. The "Stopping Treatment" Problem: The second major problem is patient adherence. Nearly one-fourth (23%) of all providers cited patients "Not adhering to treatment" as their top management challenge. For Specialists, who see the long-term impact of PCOS/PCOD, this is the most severe constraint, highlighted by over half of them (52.1%). It's rarely carelessness; it’s because of confusion, the high expense, fear of social stigma, and lack of family support.

We can’t fix women's health if the system itself is facing such basic hurdles.

Our Movement: Demanding Real Change

As Daughters of जिजाऊ, we don't wait for permission; we demand excellence and accountability. We’re asking for system-wide changes to protect the health of women everywhere. Our demands are focused on two areas: Government Policy and Private Action.

1. What We Need from Authorities: Invest in Simplicity and Training.

We need our health leaders to treat PCOS/PCOD like the urgent priority it is.

• Make Diagnosis Easier: We ask for policies that train local doctors (MOs and GPs) to confidently diagnose and start basic treatment using clear, standard clinical checklists, even when a USG isn't available. A confident local doctor saves a patient a long, expensive journey.

• Fund Better Training: We need mandatory, fully-funded training for all our front-line heroes, from MOs to ASHA and ANM didis. They need simple tools and clear knowledge to counsel patients and fight galat-fehmi (misconception) in the community.

• Fix Referrals: It shouldn't be a struggle to get specialized care. We need simple, fast-tracked referral paths and financial support for transportation so women can get to the nearest specialist or diagnostic center without crippling their family budget.

2. What We Need from Private Companies: Hold Health Camps.

Private hospitals, pharma companies, and large corporate employers have the resources to make an immediate difference. We are asking them to partner with us on our Health Camp model:

• Rural Outreach (The Access Solution): We need hospitals and pharma companies to hold regular camps in both remote villages and peri-urban areas. These aren't just awareness events; they must provide free clinical screening, essential medicines (like Metformin), and on-the-spot consultation to sto

  p the cycle of non-adherence right where it starts.

• IT Park & Corporate Camps (The Awareness Solution): Employers in places like Pune’s IT Parks need to understand that stress and sedentary work worsen PCOS/PCOD. We need on-site camps to provide busy working women with accessible screening, advice on lifestyle changes, and information during their workday.

We need long-term support, not one-time checks. Let's work together to provide continuous care and ensure every woman referred from a camp gets proper follow-up support.

Your Time to Act is Now

Every action taken by the Jeevandaan Foundation is aimed at giving our women the information and the resources they deserve.

Whether you're a student, a parent, a corporate leader, or a community worker—channel the determination and tej (spirit) of Jijau. Don’t just read this; become part of the solution.

Join the Daughters of Jijau Movement Today. Let's fight for better policies, better access, and better health for all our Mahila Shakti (female power).

Click here to sign our petition and join the movement!