FOGSI and UNICEF Launch ‘Aarogya Yog Yatra’ National Campaign in Tirupati to Promote Holistic Wellness

Tirupati: The Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI) has teamed up with UNICEF to launch the ‘Aarogya Yog Yatra,’ a year-long national campaign aimed at enhancing the holistic wellness of mothers and babies in India. The initiative, led by Dr. Sunita Tandulwadkar, President of FOGSI, was inaugurated in Tirupati, a city known for its spiritual significance.

The 'Aarogya Yog Yatra,' set to span 13 major spiritual locations across India, seeks to integrate spirituality with medicine, promoting a holistic approach to health. It also aims to encourage proactive health management among women and medical professionals.

Dr. Sunita Tandulwadkar, in her address at the launch event, emphasized the importance of spirituality in healthcare. “In my 34 years of practice, I have found that spirituality connects us to the universe’s energy and guides us toward holistic healing. This campaign seeks to share this insight with the wider medical community,” said Dr. Tandulwadkar. She also stressed the need for a shift towards proactive health management to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce morbidity and mortality rates among women.

UNICEF Health Specialist Dr. Syed Hubbe Ali also highlighted the importance of addressing mental health during pregnancy, noting that 40% of pregnant women experience stress, 20% suffer from depression, and 33% face anxiety in India. Through this campaign, UNICEF and FOGSI aim to integrate maternal mental health care into the medical community.

The event was attended by various dignitaries, including Dr. Arani Srinivasulu, Hon’ble MLA of Tirupati, Dr. Cipai Subramanyam, Hon’ble MLC, and Dr. R Sirisha, Hon’ble Mayor of Tirupati, who praised the initiative for its potential to positively impact women’s health.

The campaign will feature Continuing Medical Education (CME) on spirituality in medicine and public forums to encourage doctors to adopt holistic healing approaches. The next leg of the campaign will take place in Rishikesh on February 20-21, 2025.

Key components of the campaign include:

“Know Your Numbers”: This initiative aims to collect vital health data such as weight, blood pressure, blood sugar, and haemoglobin levels from women across India, promoting early health risk identification and preventive care.
“Sampoorna: Swastha Janma Abhiyan”: This program focuses on pre-conception care, educating women about optimal health parameters and planning pregnancies for improved maternal and neonatal health.

With the support of FOGSI leadership, including Dr. Jayam Kanan, Dr. Ashwini Kale, and Dr. Palaniappan, the ‘Aarogya Yog Yatra’ promises to blend India’s rich spiritual heritage with modern medical practices, empowering women and transforming healthcare delivery in the country.