Chief Minister launches Menstrual Hygiene Programme in the State
5 Dariya News
Shimla 18-Dec-2013
Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh today launched the State Level Menstrual Hygiene Programme (JAGRITI) aimed at providing sanitary napkins to the adolescent girls of 10 to 19 years age group from Dharamshala. He also launched the Health Card scheme under Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakaram (RBSK) and Condom Vending Machine which will be installed at every district hospital.Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that Himachal Pradesh had set new standards in the health sector and our health indicators were far better than the National level. He said that UPA Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi launched Menstrual Hygiene Programme to sensitize and encourage girls for adopting good menstrual hygiene. The State Government had would spend Rs. eight crore on this programme and approximately 4.5 lakh adolescent girls would be covered under this programme. This programme would be implemented by Health Department in coordination with Women and Child Development Department.
Shri Virbhadra Singh said that health and education had been accorded top most priority by the State Government and health and educational institutes were being opened in a big way to facilitate the people in getting these services nearer to their homes. He said that a vast health infrastructure was being set up in the State and emphasis had been laid on providing best health services to the people. IGMC, Shimla and Dr. RPMC, Tanda were being developed as super specialty centres where best infrastructure and equipments were available. He said that District Hospitals, Community Health Centres and Primary Health Centres were also being improved and vacant posts of doctors, paramedics and nurses were being filled up on priority.
Chief Minister said that Government would compile the health data of each child studying in Government schools. The Health Department would distribute RBSK booklet for each child where complete health data of the child would be entered and maintained. This would go a long way in maintaining the health profile of children and keeping record of the children referred from schools to health institutions which would subsequently help in providing good quality health services. Health Minister Shri Kaul Singh Thakur said that Himachal Pradesh had made significant improvement in the health services during last one year. 160 posts of doctors were being filled up during this year besides vacant posts of paramedical staff and nurses. The Government was giving priority for neonatal health care and efforts were being made to reduce the infant mortality rate from 36 to 25 in next few years. He thanked the Chief Minister for providing top priority to the health sector and enhancing the budget. He said that the budget for IGMC, Shimla and Tanda Medical College was Rs. seven crore during previous financial year which had been enhanced to Rs. 30 crore.
Shri Kaul Singh Thakur said that health check up of all school going students and anganwaris children was being undertaken and any children found with some ailment would be treated free of cost. Chief Parliamentary Secretary (Health) Shri Nand Lal also spoke on the occasion. The Chief Minister honoured Ms. Lalita Kumari student of GHS Chaura Maidan, Shimla who had suggested JAGRITI name for the Menstrual Hygiene Programme during inter school competition organized by NRHM. She was given a cheque of Rs. 5,000 along-with a memento. Chief Minister also announced Rs. 5,000 to the school children for presenting cultural programme.H.P. Medical Officers Association, Kangra Branch presented a cheque of Rs. 1.51 lakh to the Chief Minister towards Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. Mission Director, NRHM Shri Amitabh Awasthi welcomed the Chief Minister while Director Health Services Dr. Kultar Singh Rana presented vote of thanks.
Shri Ajay Mahajan, Shri Sanjay Rattan, Shri Bambar Thakur, MLAs, Shri Kewal Singh Pathania, Vice Chairman, H.P. Forest Development Corporation, Shri Chander Shekhar, Member, Executive Council, HPU, Shri T.G. Negi, Advisor to Chief Minister, Shri Ali Raza Rizvi, Principal Secretary, Health, Shri Dhruv Gurung, Chief Medical Officer and other senior officers were present on the occasion among others.