👩‍💻Femtech in the Time of Coronađź¦
Ever since Corona virus catapulted the world, every community/country has been affected differently. But one thing is common all around the world, women’s reproductive health products and services have seen access problems, supply issues and overall disclusion from policy-making. Curious to find out how the world of Femtech (Technology that focuses on women’s health) was stepping up to these new circumstances and challenges, we interviewed experts from Pakistan & India:
Effect of COVID19:
Mental health affects reproductive health. Stress is a big factor in hormonal issues which can happen due to lifestyle disruptions.
There’s a lot of panic and anxiety from high-risk pregnancies which are due during the lockdown. IVF and fertility related issues are expensive and long-term procedures because of which counselling and helplines have been set up by FertilityDost, Dotte and TheaCare.
Those with menstrual disorders should keep numbers of doctors or experts or anyone who can help out in case of an emergency. It’s important for to stay positive and they should avoid any kind of misinformation.
There’s a lot riding on women - women who aren’t even mothers yet are questioning if they should bring children into this world.
Postpartum depression is likely to take the biggest hit. Many breast-feeding mothers are panicking if they are rightly providing for their child. There is a need to go out and get the formula but since there’s a lockdown many women are relactating as formulas aren’t available.
Telehealth facilities digital health spaces have been on the rise which is a great opportunity as many women in Pakistan are not able to step outside into public domains to receive medical health. But this is only just starting out and there’s room for growth in this area.
Hopefully there will be increased importance for the requirement of Femtech in South Asia as govt. healthcare systems have failed us.
Public health budget has shifted away from reproductive health to cater to the pandemic and sanitary pads are not seen as an essential commodity.
Many girls/women aren’t receiving menstrual products with the lockdown in place because schools are closed, stocks have run out, and women can’t get out to buy nor can they talk about their menstrual issues due to the taboo surrounding this topic. It’s getting difficult for femtech leaders to provide those in need with menstrual products due to stock supplies and logistics issues.
Advice to FemTech Leaders:
Positivity is the only thing that can get us through this global pandemic.
Businesses and start-ups need to avail this opportunity to plan, strategize, network, and collaborate. They should take this time to look back on the goals and direction of their organizations.
It’s a great time to expand online presence, offer free consultations, set up resources such as emergencies FAQs, and go live. Call people, attend live sessions, do cross-collabs and talk to industry experts.
Digital health space is likely to change so it’s best to keep an eye on the market and trends.
Women’s health is already an under discussed topic in South Asia and through these live sessions (there’s more to come) we plan on increasing discussion, awareness, and providing actionable information through whitepaper to those present at the decision-making table.
Our sessions are held on Facebook live and we encourage our followers to be a part of this discussion and get information through a gendered lens.
