Minister stresses judicious implementation of welfare schemes
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, May 18 2022: Social welfare minister Heikham Dingo Singh along with health & family welfare minister Dr Sapam Ranjan Singh on Wednesday launched Village Health, Sanitation & Nutrition Day at Sanjenbam Khunou com* munity hall, Imphal East.

The launching programme was organised by National Health Mission, Manipur under the 100 Days Action Plan of the new government in celebration of 75 years of India's independence - Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

In his address, Heikham Dingo said that even though the programme is related to the health department, social welfare department also has a big role as it is interrelated while adding that the most important part of the programme is to create awareness among the villagers on how to remain healthy from birth till death.

He also called upon the villagers to grasp the importance of the programme and avail the benefits provided at the venue of the function.

The minister then said, "For a healthy society, we need to maintain a healthy lifei which can be achieved when we acquire the knowledge of various preventive and promotive aspects of health care and nutrition to protect from various diseases and malnutrition".

Addressing the gathering, Dr Sapam Ranjan stated that if the schemes taken up by the government for the welfare of the people are not followed properly, it will affect the future generation of the state.

The health minister said that nutrition is a much-needed source of a healthy life and pregnant women need to know when and how to consume nutritional diets for the health of themselves and their babies.

He urged the people, especially the women to take care of their health as their primary duty.

He added that the programme has been held to promote health care system in the state and asked the people to avail the facilities provided by the government.

Further, Dr Ranjan highlighted the importance of the ASHAs and the Anganwadi workers in creating awareness and educating the people in rural areas for a healthy lifestyle.

The health minister also said that health care system will be improved if there is awareness on the various aspects and importance of health sector such as the importance of immunization, consumption of nutritional diets etc.

The government is targeting grassroots development of primary health care system and if needed co-operation from the various departments of the state will be sought for overall development of the health sector, he added.

Meanwhile, additional chief secretary (health) V Vumlunmang, who attended the event as special guest, said that the Village Health Sanitation & Nutrition Day (VHSND) is an important programme for creating awareness on health and nutrition.

He stressed the need for organising the programme regularly every month to create awareness and provide services regarding health and nutrition.

VHSND will be a useful programme as health department, national health mission and social welfare department are collaborating, he added.

A booklet which includes the schedule for VHSNDs was also released on the occasion.

Stalls providing facilities for ante-natal health checkup, family planning materials, menstrual hygiene, HIV & Hepatitis testing were open at the site along with stalls for nutritional diets for the pregnant and lactating mothers, and counselling and demon stration.

VHSND is being implemented across the country since 2007 as a community platform, connecting the community and health care systems and facilitating convergent actions.

It attempts to bring health, early childhood development, nutrition and sanitation services to the doorstep and promote community engagement for improved health and wellbeing.

One of the 100 days action points for the first 100 days is to organise village health sanitation and nutrition days in 25 per cent of the total villages in the state.

It has to be conducted monthly in the identified villages by the health department in co-ordination with the social welfare department.

Altogether 1125 VHSNDs are to be conducted from May 17, 2022 onwards as part of the 100 Days Action Plan for the Financial Year 2022-23 to provide momentum to the new government to serve the people of Manipur effectively throughout the five years.

Lamlai MLA Kh Ibomcha Singh, Social Welfare director Ng Uttam Singh, Health Services director Dr K Rajo Singh and NHM Manipur Mission director Dr Somorjit Ningombam also attended the programme, which was participated by officials and staffers, chief medical officer Imphal East, National Health Mission, social welfare department, health department, Manipur AIDS Control Society, representatives of Japeigo, UNICEF, Free Diagnostics Services, ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers and invitees.

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