Health camps screen 1,543 adolescent girls across rural Chitaura Block

An 'Adolescent Health Wellness Day' was organized at 20 sub-health centres in Chitaura Block under the National Adolescent Health Programme, with health checks conducted for 1,543 adolescent girls. The special camps were held under the joint collaboration of the Health Department and Milan Sansthan.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sanjay Kumar said that health workers and the Milan Sansthan team measured the height and weight of adolescent girls in the camps and assessed Body Mass Index (BMI). Hemoglobin tests were conducted for anemia prevention and Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) tablets were distributed to the adolescent girls. He said that adolescence is an extremely sensitive and important stage of life. With proper nutrition and regular health monitoring at this age, many future health problems can be prevented. The Health Department's goal is to reach every adolescent girl in rural areas with necessary health services.

RKSK District Consultant Rakesh Gupta said that the main objective of this event is to encourage adolescent girls to overcome hesitation and openly discuss issues related to their health, nutrition and personal hygiene. The participation of 1,543 adolescent girls shows that awareness about health is increasing in rural areas. He said that similar special camps will be organized at sub-health centres of other development blocks of the district on September 24.

At the camp organized at Damodar Jot Sub-Health Centre, Milan Sansthan representative Ipsha discussed menstrual hygiene management with adolescent girls. She said that menstruation is a natural biological process and there should be no hesitation or shame about it. Information was given about using clean and safe menstrual products to prevent infection and changing sanitary pads at regular intervals. Information was also provided about safe disposal of used pads, personal hygiene and consumption of iron-rich diet including green leafy vegetables.

During the camps, the adolescent girls actively participated. They were given necessary medicines, sanitary pads and counseling on nutrition and health. IFA tablets were distributed along with anemia testing and sanitary pads were given out, and information related to health and nutrition was also provided.

On this occasion, Shruti from Milan Sansthan, along with ANMs, ASHAs, Anganwadi workers from the concerned areas and a large number of adolescent girls were present.