I, the author (with academic background of demography training and research experience in health literacy) of this research work (based on secondary data published by the WHO and other health organizations) intend to present my views on dimensions of the challenges that medical doctors located in cities like Mumbai (India) and Shanghai (China) face in treatment of women and girls confronted with breast cancer during pregnancy. The focal point in my paper is geographical location with reference to health infrastructure. I am of the view that treating women during their pregnancy years becomes an uphill task in situations where required infrastructure is on the lower side. I, further, very categorically say that health facilities are inadequate (especially in situations where medical interventions is needed on “priority basis” in “emergency situations”) in all countries, irrespective of their developments on social economic fronts over the years. This is evidenced from available (hard) data and experiences of medical professionals that indicate that health system virtually collapsed when Covid-19 pandemic (with initial traces in Wuhan, China) began spreading even in highly graded (in the form of health indicators) locations, such as (a) Paris and Athens in the European union region; and (b) Manila, Jakarta and Bangkok in Asia. I do not wish to elaborate more on this aspect; it is beyond scope of my research. In terms of specific objectives of the paper [research work (authored for presentation at International Conference on Women's Health and Breast Cancer, by in-person mode)], I will focus on twin key areas: [1] “Specific challenges” encountered by medical doctors [irrespective of developmental status of the cities (villages) wherein they reside and practice)] in treatment of women and girls confronted with breast cancer (during pregnancy); and [2] The “renewed initiatives” (as perceived by me) to be taken by national governments. Importantly, the intervention areas need to be identified in consultation with medical doctors (including other health professionals); they better understand “WHAT IS REQUIRED AT THE GROUND SITUATION.”

Santosh Kumar Mishra (He/His) retired from Population Education Resource Centre, department of lifelong learning and extension, SNDT Women's University, Mumbai, India. He underwent training in demography acquired PhD in 1999. He was recipient of government of India fellowship at the IIPS during 1986-87. His areas of expertise & research interest include demography, gender dimensions, and issues connected with sustainable development initiatives. He has contributed research papers at international platforms in Sweden, Ireland, Philippines, Turkey, Australia, Tanzania, Tajikistan, USA, Vietnam, and Nepal (with travel grant/bursary). He was granted scholarship for attending European policy conference (Stockholm, October 18-19, 2012), & workshop on healthy life expectancy from longitudinal data (Canberra, June 17-19, 2014). He is reviewer-cum-editorial board member for over 80 international journals, besides being reviewer for submissions for 21 international conferences. He has authored (some co-authored) 5 booklets, 4 books, 23 book chapters, 80 journal articles, 2 monographs, 7 research studies & 52 papers for conferences. Also, he has contributed to 200 e-discussions. He served as judge for the 2021 IHA health literacy awards. He has been awarded with the certificate of excellence in reviewing (by various journals) for 2017, 2018, 2021 & 2022.