Evidence

This research examines the relationship between the availability of women physicians and the uptake of maternal and child health services. It is based on the cross-sectional district-level data from all 256 districts in 18 states, from India's District-Level Household and Facility Survey (2012–13) and the National Family Health Survey (2015–16). The research uses a continuum of care approach, examining 6 key indicators (or measures) of RMCH (measured as district percent) through pre-conception to post-delivery child care. These include modern contraceptive use, 4+ antenatal care (ANC) visits, skilled birth attendance, postnatal care, child immunization, and child postnatal care. The research concludes that the availability of women physicians will lead to greater utilization of maternal health care. These findings provide essential insights for a movement towards greater gender parity in the physician workforce, especially in India's rural areas.

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