GHP April 2016

ghp April 2016 | 19 Health & Social Care Saving Two Lives: Unravelling the Burden of Thyroid and Influenza During Pregnancy The whitepapers were launched in association with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and the Minis- try of Women & Child Development, and are titled: • Impact and Assessment of Thyroid Disorders on Mother and Child Health: Possible Policy Interven- tions; • Impact and Assessment of Influenza on Mother and Child Health: Possible Policy Interventions. The whitepapers are endorsed and supported by various clinical associations namely, the Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India, the Indian Academy of Pediatrics, the National Association for Reproductive & Child Health of India, Indian Thyroid Society, Influenza Foundation of India, Endocrine Society of India, Indian Virological Society, Vaccine Advocacy Forum India, Gynaecological Endocrine Society of India, and International Medical Sciences Academy. These whitepapers touch upon some of the most relevant issues impacting pregnancy and its out- come, chief among them being thyroid disorders and influenza. Speaking about the event, Mrs. Shobha Mishra Ghosh, Senior Director, FICCI, said, “FICCI has always been at the forefront of highlighting the most relevant issues impacting the mother and child health scenario in India.” This event intended, “to provide a forum for initiating a debate on the issues of thyroid disorders and Influenza during pregnancy and its impact on the maternal and child health” she added. Frost & Sullivan, the leading growth and strategy consultancy firm, prepared these whitepapers post exhaustive research and consultation with a variety of clinical and non-clinical stakeholders along with inputs from FICCI. Commenting on the event, Ms. Ankita Kothari, Industry Analyst, Healthcare Practice, Frost & Sullivan, said: “There are approximately 2.6 crore pregnancies in India annually. Latest clinical data suggests that the burden of thyroid disorders during pregnancy is as high as 11-16 percent in India, which is abnormally high when compared to other countries. She added that “For effective clinical interventions, all women should be screened for thyroid disorders in order to pick up the suspected cases”. She also said that “high prevalence of hypothyroidism is not only a clinical problem, but also has severe economic impact. The annual spend of managing the complica- tions arising out of thyroid disorders during pregnancy in India ranges between INR 700-1000 crore, which is on account of managing complications like pre-term delivery, miscarriages and preeclampsia”. The objective of these white papers is to sensitise the policy makers and clinical stakeholders which will improve the maternal and infant health scenario in India and also reduce the economic and social conse- quences with respect to the productivity index, arising from the impact of thyroid disorders and influenza on the mother and the infant. Frost & Sullivan, a Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today’s market participants. Established in 1927, the Federation of Indian Cham- bers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) is the largest and oldest apex business organization in India. Its history is closely interwoven with India’s struggle for independence, its industrialization, and its emergence as one of the most rapidly growing global economies. The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) — an apex business organization, in association with Frost & Sullivan, a leading strategy consulting firm, announced earlier this year the launch of two whitepapers at an event titled “Round- table on Addressing the Impact of Thyroid Disorders and Influen- za: An Initiative towards a ‘Healthy Mother, Healthy Child’ Vision”.

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