In India, preventive health check-ups are still not a priority, especially for women, despite their crucial role in families, communities, and the economy. To address this gap in women's healthcare, Apollo Hospitals has launched Asia's first dedicated cancer centre for women, Apollo Athenaa, in New Delhi.

The inauguration of Apollo Athenaa by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, along with Dr. Prathap C Reddy and Preetha Reddy, marks a significant step towards revolutionizing cancer care for women. Breast and cervical cancers account for approximately 54% of cancers among Indian women, making specialized and comprehensive solutions critical. Preetha Reddy emphasized that Apollo Athenaa focuses on providing dignity, privacy, and timely medical interventions.

Apollo Athenaa provides comprehensive and holistic services, including preventive screenings, advanced diagnostics, surgical oncology, breast oncoplasty, fertility preservation, reconstructive care, onco-psychology, nutrition support, physiotherapy, and palliative care. The center is equipped with advanced technology for diagnosing and treating cancers affecting women. The calming design incorporates neuroaesthetic principles to promote patient comfort, mental well-being, and accelerated recovery.

regular health screenings play an important role in lowering the risk of cardiac-related ailments by reducing blood pressure and body mass index (BMI) levels. Apollo's data indicates that people are choosing more comprehensive health checks, reflecting a positive trend toward safeguarding health and wellness.

Despite these advancements, there is a need to increase the penetration of health checks in India. Preetha Reddy noted that approximately 40% of people approach Apollo Hospitals annually for preventive health checkups. Post-pandemic, individuals have realized they are not invincible and understand the importance of health and preventing non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

To enhance preventive healthcare, it is essential to scale up routine screenings, early detection, and education campaigns for diseases like cervical and breast cancer. For example, 3% of women undergoing mammography at Apollo are diagnosed with breast cancer, which highlights the importance of early detection and intervention.

Furthermore, access to affordable healthcare must be expanded, and economic and geographic barriers to healthcare addressed, to ensure women, especially those in rural and marginalized communities, receive timely and quality care.

Apollo Hospitals is also using technology to improve healthcare. Their AI-powered ProHealth program uses real-time data and consistent follow-up to create measurable population-level impact. Traditional screening methods are insufficient, and programs like ProHealth lay the foundation for scalable and predictive healthcare. Apollo's leadership advocates integrating preventive care into national health policy, educational systems, and corporate programs, making preventive screenings as routine as annual checkups and incorporating health education into schools.

Moreover, it is important to address the gender gap in medical research, preventative care, and equitable access to healthcare services to unlock women's full economic potential. Historically, women's health has been underrepresented in medical research, leading to gaps in care and treatment. Women have been excluded from clinical trials, resulting in medications and treatments that do not fully account for gender differences.

Investing in women's health leads to healthier families and drives economic development. When women have access to quality healthcare, they contribute more effectively to the workforce.