430 women benefit from free health camp

A district-level multi-specialty health camp was held at Kihar Civil Hospital under the Swasth Nari Sashakt Pariwar Abhiyan, being observed across Chamba district from September 17 to October 2.

Inaugurating the event, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Bipen Thakur said the campaign aims to strengthen maternal and child health services, promote family planning and raise awareness about preventive healthcare.

Specialists from various disciplines provided services at the camp, including gynaecology, pediatrics, dermatology, ophthalmology, ENT, dentistry, psychiatry, Ayurveda and child health. Participants also took part in guided yoga sessions.

The CMO highlighted that initiatives such as Janani Suraksha Yojana, Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram, Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan, universal immunization and family planning services are being delivered through health facilities across the district during the campaign period.

Under the National Child Health Programme, adolescent girls will undergo haemoglobin testing, receive iron and folic acid tablets every Wednesday and access sanitary pads at Rs 1 per piece each month. Awareness drives are also focusing on menstrual hygiene and iron-rich diets.

Screenings for ENT issues, eye health, diabetes, cancer, sickle cell anaemia, blood pressure and TB are being conducted at major hospitals. Information on Nikshay Poshan Mitra, Ayushman Bharat Health ID (ABHA ID) and Tele-MANAS mental health services is also being shared.

On the occasion, dignitaries and women participants joined the programme virtually and took a pledge to support the cause of “Healthy Women, Empowered Families.”

Around 430 women received free health check-ups and medicines during the camp. District Health Officer Dr Kavita Mahajan, District Programme Officer Dr Harit Puri, Block Medical Officer Dr Jagjit Pathania, CDPO Salooni RR Bhardwaj and hospital staff were present at the event.