Dharamshala: Chief Minister 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. The State Government 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.
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 Kaul Singh Thakur said that Himachal Pradesh had made significant improvement in the health services during last one year. 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.
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) Nand Lal also spoke on the occasion. The Chief Minister honoured 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.
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 Amitabh Awasthi welcomed the Chief Minister while Director Health Services Dr. Kultar Singh Rana presented vote of thanks.
Ajay Mahajan, Sanjay Rattan, Bambar Thakur, MLAs, Kewal Singh Pathania, Vice Chairman, H.P. Forest Development Corporation, Chander Shekhar, Member, Executive Council, HPU, T.G. Negi, Advisor to Chief Minister, Ali Raza Rizvi, Principal Secretary, Health, Dhruv Gurung, Chief Medical Officer and other senior officers were present on the occasion among others.
