Chellaram Foundation opens women's health centre in Pune's Bavdhan

Pune, October 28, 2026: The Chellaram Foundation has inaugurated the Chellaram Women's Health Centre (CWHC) in Pune's Bavdhan area. According to the foundation, the centre will offer women both preventive and treatment health services at every stage of life. It has been built near Chellaram Hospital Diabetes Care and Multispeciality.

The centre will provide adolescent and reproductive health services, menopause management, nutrition counselling, prevention of lifestyle diseases, cancer screening, bone health assessment and adult vaccination.

The inauguration was performed by chief guest Lt Gen (Dr) Madhuri Kanitkar (retd), former Vice-Chancellor of the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences. Col Prof (Dr) Hemlata K. Bagla, Vice-Chancellor of HSNC University and SNDT Women's University, was the guest of honour. Also present were social worker Leela Poonawalla; Dr Unnikrishnan A.G., CEO and chief endocrinologist of Chellaram Diabetes Institute; Wing Commander (Dr) Harshal More (retd), the institute's chief medical director; Dr Vedavati Purandare, head of clinical services at Chellaram Hospital Diabetes Care and Multispeciality; and Dr Manjusha Ghumre, head of the centre and women's health consultant. Dignitaries from several other fields also attended.

Dr Kanitkar said, "This centre is an important step towards shifting attention from illness to health. Lifestyle diseases are now affecting women at a younger age, so complete lifelong care is essential. Institutions like Chellaram can bridge the gap between research, education and patient care, and can reach communities that have less access to facilities."

Dr Bagla said, "The emphasis on the five Ms, namely menarche, maternal health, midlife, menopause and mental health, is particularly significant. There also needs to be strong coordination between educational institutions and health centres, so that preventive health care, awareness, community outreach and interdisciplinary research are promoted. Such partnerships can take health information and services to a larger section of society."

Lal Chellaram, chairman of the Chellaram Foundation, said in a video message, "Women's health needs differ at different stages of life. The aim of this centre is to provide science-based care under one roof, with a focus on prevention, early detection, research and community outreach. We also hope to improve understanding of the specific health problems of Indian women."

Shobhana Chellaram also said in a video message, "Women often put their families before their own health. We want a centre where women are heard, are treated with respect and can talk about their problems comfortably. Here they should find preventive care, screening, counselling and compassionate support."

Dr Unnikrishnan said, "This women's health centre, inspired by the holistic approach of our diabetes centre, will begin operating sometime in November 2026. Specialists from endocrinology, surgery, oncology and other departments will be together here. Our focus is on early detection, timely treatment and care tailored to each patient, so that women's health care becomes easier to access and better coordinated."

Dr Ghumre said, "Women's health cannot be handled by any single medical specialty, or only when illness occurs. Our approach combines prevention, early detection, lifestyle management and necessary treatment. We want women to get the right guidance and treatment at every important stage of their lives."