Outreach, sensitization prog on menstrual hygiene organized as part of 'Breaking the Silence' at Tamenglong
Source: The Sangai Express

Tamenglong, March 17 2019: Breaking the Silence, a campaign that raises awareness on menstrual hygiene in rural and isolated parts of India and in other countries has been organized continuously in Tamenglong district, Manipur since 2018, which is a focus district of the campaign.

During the campaign, outreach and sensitization programme on menstrual hygiene were conducted in Tamenglong where many Govt departments were sensitized on the subject including the Health Department and District Hospital.

The campaign led to positive outcome which is the development of interest, capacity and resolve demonstrated by the health department of Tamenglong district under the leadership of Dr Chambo Gonmei, the Chief Medical Officer.

As part of the campaign, International Women's Day with the theme "Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change" was organised at the District Hospital, Tamenglong by the District Health Society on March 8, 2019 targeting adolescent girls of the Govt schools which was attended by Ajin Thaimei, EE, PHED, Tamenglong as chief guest and Dr Chambo Gonmei, CMO, Tml as functional president.

More than 240 girls from Gaidailong Primary School, JNV and MV High School including medical officers, nurses, ASHA facilitators, other paramedical staff and attendants were present in the event.

The organizers and departments involved say their work is motivated by Urmila Chanam and "Breaking the Silence" campaign which introduced them to this aspect of women's and girl's health and well being.

The campaign stressed on menstrual hygiene, maintaining clean and healthy lifestyle and emphasized on doing away with all kinds of tribal taboos.

Under the flagship programme of NHM, Adolescent Friendly Health Clinic (RKSK) was opened daily except on Sundays and Holidays while under maternal health, PMSMA was carried out on 9th of every month.

During the programme, free sanitary pads were also distributed to the girls student and participants (who have reached puberty).

"Next time we will try our best to reach out to the remote areas where poor people are ignorant about maternal care and menstrual hygiene under the 'Breaking the Silence' campaign", Dr Chamo Gonmei informed.

The main objective of 'Breaking the Silence' is to 'inform and inspire' the Govt at different levels to implement comprehensive programmes on menstrual hygiene management which was begun in Tamenglong district.

The District Health Society Tamenglong will organise "Menstrual Hygiene" on May 28, 2019 in a big way in all the PHCs and PHSCs of the district, Dr Chamo Gonmei added.

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