State Health Department officials said they conducted a campaign to educate women on the value of gender-specific medical care.
Seminars, workshops and counselling sessions were organised on Thursday at government emergency services premises and private healthcare centres across Malerkotla to mark the World Menstrual Hygiene Day and global awareness day for women’s health.
Ahmedgarh Community Health Centre (CHC) Senior medical officer (SMO) Dr Jyoti Kapoor said the events were organised with association of international service organisations, with focus on World Hygiene Menstrual Day, “Together for a Period Friendly World”, and women’s health awareness day, “‘Empower women with information, ensure fair access to healthcare services and encourage preventative health habits across all ages, groups and sections of society.”
Addressing women who would work for spreading awareness on the subject, Dr Garima Hind, a gynaecologist, stressed on the need of open dialogue with pubescent girls about changes expected in reproductive organs. “Mothers, guardians and educators must openly discuss menstruation with girls before their first period to clear confusion and anxiety,” said Hind, maintaining personal hygiene awareness in women was critical for preventing reproductive tract infections and breaking traditional cultural ‘taboos.’
Bhavya Maini, another gynaecologist, said May 28 is observed every year for spreading awareness on women’s health with focus on concept of periods as it coincided with the average length of 28 days, or a lunar month.
“Besides affecting education and career, a woman’s health also decides the fate of her family, including children, husband and parents,” said Maini.
