Dimapur, May 28 (EMN): Several districts across Nagaland observed the ‘Menstrual Hygiene Day’ on May 28 by organising an awareness programme with women and girl students. The ‘Menstrual Hygiene Day’ is an annual awareness event observed on May 28 to highlight the importance of good menstrual hygiene management at a global level. It was initiated by the German-based NGO ‘WASH United’ in 2013 and observed for the first time in 2014.
Mokokchung: All the Ayushman Bharat- Health and Wellness Centre (AB-HWC) in Mokokchung district observed the ‘Menstrual Hygiene Day’ on May 28, where the community health officers (CHO) imparted awareness on use and proper disposal of sanitary products, challenges regarding access to menstrual products, education about menstrual hygiene and period-friendly sanitary facilities and to break the taboos and end the stigma surrounding menstruation.
During the programme sanitary pads were distributed to the eligible participants in the health units.
Keviphunu Khatso, counselor of adolescent friendly health clinic (AFHC), and her team also visited Artang Government Middle School, Mokokchung, and held a counseling session with the students and teaching staff.
Wokha: Commemorating the ‘Menstrual Hygiene Day,’ office of the chief medical officer (CMO), Wokha, organised an awareness programme at Government Higher Secondary School in Wokha town on May 28.
An update from the CMO’s office stated that the resource person and medical officer of Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram, Dr. Thungchanbeni Patton, spoke on the importance of having adequate knowledge about menstruation right from childhood to reduce the suffering of an adolescent girl mentally and physically.
She encouraged the girls not to stay confined within the stigma and taboos associated with menstruation but try to normalise menstruation and keep themselves safe, healthy and happy.
Report added that AFC counselor also highlighted the services available for the adolescent including menstrual disorder at the District Hospital Wokha.
Azedon School: As part of ‘Menstrual Hygiene Day,’ Kevi Children Home, in collaboration with Azedon School, organised a free medical health camp in the school premises on May 24. The medical camp was conducted, in collaboration with Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) Kohima, mobile medical unit (MMU) Kohima, and Urban Primary Health Centre (UPHC) Porterlane.
An update from the school stated that free screenings, lab tests, and blood pressure were carried out by Dr. Thejangunuo Rutsa, MO of UPHC Poterlane; Dr. Neivizonuo Rio, MO of MMU Kohima; and Dr. Medozhatuo Keretsü, MO of RBSK Kohima; along with nurses and lab technicians during the camp. It added that free medicines and referral cards were also distributed to children.
The main motive of conducting the medical camp was to create awareness and have access to basic healthcare service or knowledge about the diseases they are suffering from by providing free medical advice, medicines to the unfortunate children and refer them for specialised treatment.
It added that Dietholenuo Liezietsu, counselor of Adolescent Friendly Health Clinic at NHAK, has highlighted the importance of good menstrual hygiene management (MHM). Besides, she also held individual counseling, group counseling and awareness on “Know about menstruation” to the girl students during the camp.
A total of 170 beneficiaries including the children and staff were benefited from the medical camp.