Bridging the Health Gap: Evaluating Telemedicine as a Tool for Realizing the Constitutional Right to Health for Indian Women

Arohi Sanyal

doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i04.84966

Bridging the Health Gap: Evaluating Telemedicine as a Tool for Realizing the Constitutional Right to Health for Indian Women

Author(s)	Ms. Arohi Sanyal
Country	India
Abstract	World Health Organization has defined health as a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease Article 25 of the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) grants everyone the right to medical care irrespective of gender, caste and race. Further, Articles 21 of the Indian Constitution guarantees the Right to life, encompassing a life with dignity and in a healthy environment. Article 47, a Directive Principle of State Policy, mandates that the State should improve the nutrition and living standards of its citizens as well as public health. Importance of health of citizens for a nation’s progress cannot be overemphasized – on the one hand it is well established that only healthy beings can work to their potential thus carrying the nation forward and on the other hand one needs to understand the exorbitant costs of treatment of diseases which, in a welfare nation like India, the government infrastructure bears – an expenditure best curtailed in a developing and resource scarce nation. However, in India systemic restrictions, cultural expectations, economic challenges, and infrastructural shortcomings collectively contribute to a scenario where citizens, particularly women, especially those in rural and marginalized sectors, experience heightened difficulties in accessing healthcare. Further, many women face discouragement when seeking assistance for issues related to menstrual hygiene, reproductive health, or mental well-being due to patriarchal norms and stigmas surrounding women's health issues which prevent them for obtaining timely medical care. Moreover, economic factors making it challenging for women to travel to healthcare facilities and cover ancillary expenses as in Indian patriarchal homes, women do not have control over financial resources. These difficulties are worsened by infrastructural inadequacies, particularly in rural areas where even essential healthcare services are either absent or abysmal. The advent of telemedicine in this backdrop represents a significant opportunity in addressing healthcare inequalities, particularly for women in India who confront considerable challenges in accessing fundamental health services. This proposal investigates the diverse advantages of telemedicine, the opportunities it presents, and the obstacles it encounters, while also offering recommendations for advancement and betterment of this still evolving technology. This research will begin by examining the International and Constitutional guarantees to health available to all humans irrespective of gender, caste or class, highlighting the State’s duty to provide the same to all without any discrimination. I would then be assessing the current landscape of women's healthcare in India, identifying the cultural, socio-economic and infrastructural challenges that restrict access to healthcare services analyzing how societal norms, patriarchal influences and economic hardships disproportionately impact women, thereby preventing them from obtaining timely and appropriate medical care. I would analyze how, by denying health care facilities to women, they are being deprived of their basic constitutional and human rights. The research would then proceed to investigate the potential of telemedicine as a solution to these challenges. By enabling remote healthcare delivery, telemedicine eliminates the requirement for physical travel and overcomes cultural and logistical obstacles. It not only reduces costs but also broadens access to specialists and overcomes the stigma that often accompanies the pursuit of care for sensitive health matters. As mobile and internet technologies continue to expand its coverage, telemedicine offers the potential to extend healthcare access to women in remote areas. This research will then examine the legal, ethical, and infrastructural challenges inherent in telemedicine. It will review the existing legal framework, notably the Telemedicine Practice Guidelines (2020) released by the Medical Council of India, which lays the groundwork for telemedicine regulation but requires further updating to effectively address concerns related to accountability, consent management and privacy protection. The study will particularly focus on the specific privacy challenges encountered by women, especially those seeking guidance on sensitive issues such as reproductive health, contraception, or domestic violence. The risks associated with data breaches and the lack of strong mechanisms to ensure confidentiality will be identified as critical areas for enhancement. Finally, I would suggest targeted measures to enhance the effectiveness of telemedicine in addressing women’s healthcare needs like strengthening digital infrastructure in rural areas, promoting digital literacy among women and offering financial incentives to make teleconsultations more accessible. Advocating for legal reforms to ensure data security, accountability and equitable access, public awareness campaigns are proposed, to enhance trust in telemedicine and encourage its adoption among women across diverse socio-cultural contexts. Through this comprehensive approach, the research seeks to demonstrate how telemedicine can bridge the gaps in women’s healthcare emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts from the government, healthcare providers, technology companies and civil society organizations to ensure that telemedicine fulfills its potential as a cornerstone of a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system in India. The paper was presented in NLU Lucknow conference in the year 2025.
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 4, July-August 2026
Published On	2026-08-02
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i04.84966

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Bridging the Health Gap: Evaluating Telemedicine as a Tool for Realizing the Constitutional Right to Health for Indian Women

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