With the aim of spreading awareness on health and well-being while providing basic medical services to people, particularly in rural areas, the office of the District Medical and Health Officer (DMHO), East Jaintia Hills District today organized a Community Outreach and Sensitization Health Camp under the theme “Every Mother Matters, Every Child Counts” at a programme held at Saipung PHC, East Jaintia Hills District.
The programme was attended by Assistant Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills District, Smti. F. Wann, MCS, in the presence of District Immunization Officer (DIO), East Jaintia Hills District, Dr (Mrs) N. P. Suchiang, District Surveillance Officer, East Jaintia Hills District, Dr L. Sungoh, Medical & Health Officer (M&HO), in-charge Saipung PHC, Dr R. Siangshai, other health officials, ASHAs, and people of the area.
Assistant Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills District,Smti. F. Wann, MCS in her address stated that the progress of society largely depends on the health of mothers, emphasizing that a healthy mother leads to a healthy family and healthy children, which ultimately contributes to the development of the district and the nation. She acknowledged the dedication and hard work of doctors and healthcare workers serving in the various Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and sub-centres across the district.
Further, Smti. Wann highlighted that many people in Saipung area depend on farming for their livelihood and are often busy with work in the fields, which sometimes leads them to neglect their health and regular medical check-ups and therefore urged the people of the area to take full advantage of the opportunity made available closer to them even as she pointed out that poor dietary practices among mothers often result in health issues such as anaemia and other illnesses.
She also stated that the District Administration is committed in supporting the Health Department through the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) fund in various aspect as to enhance the health services facilities even as she mentioned the water conservation project implemented at Saipung PHC which enables rainwater harvesting during the rainy season, along with the provision of sanitation facilities and repair works in several PHCs and Sub-Centres.
Additionally, sheurged the gathering to take full advantage of the free healthcare services available at government institutions such as PHCs, CHCs and Sub-Centres for their well-being and that of their children.
District Immunization Officer (DIO), East Jaintia Hills District,Dr (Mrs) N. P. Suchiang in her address highlighted that the health camp was organized with the support of the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) with the aim of reducing maternal and infant mortality rate while providing essential health services to the community. She stated that screening for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as blood pressure, diabetes and cancer is being conducted for people aged 30 years and above. She also mentioned that breast cancer screening is being carried out by the medical team from Civil Hospital Ialong and that children, mothers, elders and pregnant women are being screened during the camp to help detect diseases that may not show symptoms at an early stage.
She further encouraged pregnant women, especially those at high risk, to take advantage of the opportunity as specialist doctors are available during the camp. She noted that such health camps are important as they help identify health problems early and provide necessary treatment. She also urged the gathering to spread awareness in their communities so that more people, particularly mothers and children, can benefit from these health services.
Speaking about the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign, Dr (Mrs) Suchiang informed that the programme was launched in the district on 7th March at PamraPaithlu PHC, Khliehriat Civil Hospital and Sutnga CHC, where around 50 girls aged 14 to 15 years having already received the vaccine. She explained that the HPV vaccine helps protect against cervical cancer and has been used globally since 2006. She added that the vaccination campaign will continue for three months and that the vaccine is available in PHCs across the district to protect girls from HPV-related diseases.
Health services made available at the health camp include Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV),/ Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) testing, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) screening, Human Papillomavirus vaccination drive, Ayushman Bharat registration, Rastriya Bal SwasthyaKaryakram (RBSK) screening, sensitization on food adulteration, etc.
