India’s healthcare sector has been experiencing a shift in recent years, led by forward-thinking leaders tackling systemic issues and promoting a fairer and more inclusive healthcare system. Mathangi Ramakrishnan, the Head of Programs and Communications at CAPED, is one of the key individuals leading this transformation. Having more than 17 years of experience in the development sector, Ramakrishnan possesses a vast amount of knowledge and a strong dedication to enhancing healthcare services, especially for women. The path she has travelled, along with her own hardships and work background, have influenced her perspective on creating a more inclusive and forward-thinking healthcare system in India.
Let’s learn more about Mathangi Ramakrishnan’s impactful work in advancing healthcare accessibility, prevention, and innovation in India!
A Career Rooted in Purpose
Ramakrishnan’s career path was not a straight line to healthcare; it was driven by a passion for social good and a desire to make a meaningful impact. “From a young age, I felt a strong desire to work in the social sector,” she recalls. Her early career in an MNC gave way to a more fulfilling role in the non-profit and CSR sectors, focusing on environmental conservation and education. However, it was her entry into healthcare, particularly in sexual and reproductive health for women in remote regions of North East India, that profoundly altered her professional path. “That experience was eye-opening,” she shares, highlighting how basic healthcare services remain out of reach for many in rural and underserved areas.
Her work with CAPED, however, was influenced by more personal motivations as well. Having lost two women in her family to cancer, Ramakrishnan experienced firsthand the devastation that the disease can bring. “Watching them battle cancer, feeling helpless as the disease returned and eventually took their lives, left a deep impact on me,” she explains. This personal loss motivated her to concentrate on cancer prevention and early detection, leading her to dedicate her efforts to instigating change at CAPED.
Championing Women’s Health
Women’s health is at the core of Ramakrishnan’s mission, a neglected aspect in India’s healthcare system, both at policy and community levels. She envisions a future where healthcare is equitable and accessible to all, especially women. “I believe that healthcare must transcend socioeconomic and gender barriers, ensuring that every individual has access to quality care,” she asserts. This focus on women’s health, she argues, has a ripple effect, leading to healthier families and communities.
The work CAPED is doing aligns with this vision, concentrating on cancer prevention and early detection, particularly for cancers that disproportionately affect women, such as cervical and breast cancers. “By strengthening the public healthcare system and mobilizing communities, we are creating a model of proactive healthcare that can be scaled and adapted nationwide,” she says. However, she acknowledges that broader systemic change is needed, which will require collaboration between government bodies, private sector players, NGOs, and communities. Advocacy for policy reforms that prioritize preventive healthcare is crucial for this transformation.
Addressing Systemic Challenges in Healthcare
The challenges facing India’s healthcare system—accessibility, affordability, and quality—are well known, and Ramakrishnan has a clear vision for how to tackle them. “Addressing these challenges requires a holistic and multi-pronged strategy,” she notes. Strengthening primary healthcare by integrating preventive services is a key component of this strategy. CAPED’s work focuses on building the capacity of primary healthcare and community health workers, ensuring that healthcare reaches even the most remote areas.
Affordability remains another significant barrier, particularly for vulnerable populations. To address this, Ramakrishnan advocates for public-private partnerships that can subsidize healthcare costs, making essential services either free or low-cost. “We need to ensure that these services are accessible to those who need them most,” she emphasizes. In terms of quality, continuous training for healthcare providers and the adoption of technology to monitor care delivery are essential for ensuring that high standards are maintained.
CAPED’s collaborations with district and state health departments, as well as private sector partners, are already working towards these goals. “The evidence-based solutions we are developing need to be replicated and scaled up for accelerated progress,” Ramakrishnan says.
Leveraging Technology for Better Outcomes
One of the key drivers of change in healthcare is technology, and Ramakrishnan is a strong advocate for its integration into healthcare delivery. “Technology and innovation have the potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery and patient outcomes,” she asserts. Digital health platforms, telemedicine, and mobile health applications are game-changers, particularly for underserved areas where access to healthcare is limited.
Mobile apps, for example, can play a critical role in patient education, appointment scheduling, and medication adherence, empowering individuals to take charge of their own health. At a systemic level, technology can streamline data collection and improve the monitoring of healthcare interventions, ensuring that they are both evidence-based and outcome-driven. “By integrating these technologies into our healthcare framework, we can enhance efficiency, increase access, and ultimately improve patient outcomes,” she explains.
Innovations at CAPED
At CAPED, the focus on innovation is evident. One of the key initiatives the organization is implementing involves an AI-driven platform, developed in collaboration with their partner DeliveRx. This platform aims to combat misinformation and enhance the capacities of health workers, making them more effective in their outreach and education efforts. “We are also assessing and promoting advanced screening and diagnostic technologies in cancer prevention,” Ramakrishnan reveals, adding that these initiatives are geared towards improving early detection and creating tailored interventions.
By leveraging such cutting-edge technologies, CAPED is contributing to a more responsive and efficient healthcare ecosystem, one that prioritizes early intervention—a critical factor in reducing the mortality rate of cancers and other serious health conditions.
A Patient-Centered Approach for Future Leaders
Ramakrishnan’s experience and expertise have given her valuable insights into what it takes to succeed in the healthcare sector, and she offers sage advice to aspiring healthcare professionals and entrepreneurs. “Adopt a patient-centered approach and remain adaptable in the face of challenges,” she recommends. Healthcare is an ever-evolving field, and staying informed about emerging trends and technologies is essential for anyone looking to make a significant impact.
Her advice also includes focusing on building scalable and sustainable solutions that address the needs of vulnerable populations. Collaboration, she believes, is key to driving meaningful change. “Healthcare is complex, and no one can do it alone,” she states, emphasizing the importance of partnerships across sectors. Persistence, too, is critical—making a tangible difference in healthcare can be demanding, but the rewards are immeasurable.
Leadership Rooted in Empathy
Whether it is the communities she has worked with or her personal experience with cancer in her family, these experiences have shaped her approach to leadership in healthcare. “True change happens when we empower individuals with the knowledge and resources they need to take control of their health,” she believes.
The resilience and courage of the women she has worked with, particularly those in rural and underserved areas, have been a constant source of inspiration. These women, often facing immense challenges, have taken charge of their health, an act that Ramakrishnan finds deeply motivating. “Their resilience has shaped my approach to leadership,” she shares, underscoring the belief that real transformation in healthcare comes from empowering individuals and communities.
From a personal perspective, losing family members to cancer has also influenced her path. It has driven her to focus on early detection and prevention, teaching her the importance of empathy in leadership. “Leadership in healthcare is not just about strategy and implementation—it’s about understanding the human aspect of healthcare and being committed to making a difference in people’s lives,” Ramakrishnan says.
A Vision for the Future
Ramakrishnan’s vision for the future of healthcare in India is clear: an equitable system that prioritizes preventive care, leverages technology, and is accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic status or gender. Her work at CAPED, and her leadership in the healthcare sector more broadly, are paving the way for this vision to become a reality. By focusing on early detection, prevention, and empowerment, she is redefining what it means to lead in the healthcare industry in India.
As India moves towards a more equitable healthcare system, leaders like Ramakrishnan will continue to play a pivotal role. Her work is a witness to the power of empathy, innovation and a patient-centered approach in transforming healthcare for the better.
