A women entrepreneur is a woman or a group of women who initiate, organize or run a business concern. Despite women overpowering in sheer numbers, we still have very few women entrepreneurs in our country. There are only 7 women entrepreneurs in every 100 Indian entrepreneurs. The one sector where women’s leadership in business is imminent is in the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) sector. Of all the 63 million MSMEs, around 8 million are women-led. But things are changing for the better.

Due to economic progress, better access to education, urbanization, the spread of liberal and democratic culture, and recognition by society, there has been a spurt in woman entrepreneurship in India.  Women-owned businesses enterprises are playing a prominent role in society inspiring others and generating more employment opportunities in the country. The increasing presence of women as entrepreneurs is bringing a lot of change in the business and economic growth of the country. Gradually but steadily, the world over, women entrepreneurs have emerged as successful entrepreneurs.

We at Medicircle are conducting the 'Top Women Entrepreneurs of Healthcare’, Series to showcase such inspirational female role models on a revolutionary journey.

Juhi Upadhaya is a Founder, Director of Sakhi Healthcare at Gujarat. She is passionate about healthcare and has been working in this industry for the last 5 years. She constantly aims to contribute her part in enhancing and making small changes in the field.

Healthcare as a whole has always had a very deep impact on her life and the reason why she is in this field is that she wants to bring in the change that she wishes to see in the system. She aims to see our country providing the best healthcare services to every citizen.

Contributions towards healthcare 

Juhi Upadhaya says, “We cannot measure or quantify contributions as they are always needed in healthcare. I have just begun and it is too quick to know the number of contributions. I have done my best in my part. I aim to do is to make an inclusive healthcare system for services towards the public should not be interrupted through a barrier. There are many criteria on which the public gets access to medical facilities for all the individuals living in the country. Everyone should get access to the medical system and we as individuals in the industry have forgotten the primary objective of our healthcare industry. I always try to reach out to maximum people to stay focused on health care objectives. There is a lack of awareness among people in regards to medical facilities available and also different programs. 

We collaborate with many hospitals to resolve small issues like money-related issues to develop programs for people at affordable rates.”

Challenges as a women entrepreneur

Juhi Upadhaya says, “Struggles are part and parcel of a journey. There are many struggles as we stay in a society full of people with restrictive thought processes. It is important to convenience and makes people aware of their benefits towards healthcare. So, this was the major challenge to convince people of healthcare benefits. Hospitals were very supportive too. 

It is general thinking where women are not taken seriously in business. Being a woman, I have many benefits just like pitching my idea and getting heard for it. So, it's been a good journey.”

Motivation Behind Sakhi 

Juhi Upadhaya says, “Throughout my journey, I have seen women comprising life at various stages based on social background. I have been always passionate about healthcare. When I started this process of women's health development, I observed that they do not think about themselves. These hardships give us the motivation to allow them to come forward in case of any issues. This motivated me for SAKHI.”

Message from expert 

Juhi Upadhaya says, “Since the birth of girl child till her death, she goes through various stages of identity being a daughter, mother, sister, and grandmother. I want everyone to know that they should play all the roles but not forget their self-identity. Do not forget that you are the “Hero of the Story”

(Edited by Dr.Rati Parwani)