As a part of block activity for the celebration of Poshan Pakhwada 2020, an awareness camp for adolescent girls was conducted by the office of CDPO, Kohima (Tribal) on March 13 at Government Middle School, Chedema. While Integrated Child Development Services, Chare block conducted hand washing demonstration and awareness camps for adolescent girls and anemia screening camp in Chare block on March 11 and 13.
Chedema: CDPO office, Kohima (Tribal), senior supervisor, Reyivolu spoke on adolescent’s health and the right age of marriage. She underscored the subject by saying that adolescent period offers one a window of opportunity for the improvement of nutrition and for correcting poor nutritional practices and said it was time to prepare for nutritional demands of pregnancy and lactation. Therefore adolescent girls need to be well informed about the choice of healthy food at home, school and outside.
Speaking on the right age of marriage, she cautioned how early marriage negatively impacts on the physical, mental, and emotional health, and thereby blocks educational opportunities, besides the risk of complication during pregnancy and childbirth. They are more likely to be poor, unhealthy and emotionally stressed as they are not ready for family responsibilities.
Supervisor from CDPO office, Kohima (T) Lorhele also spoke on the prevalence of anaemia in adolescent girls and the importance of maintaining cleanliness. She stressed on the importance of consuming locally available vegetables and fruits besides availing the facilities provided by the government like weekly iron folic acid programme.
Demonstration of hand washing was done where posters, pamphlets were also distributed. This was followed by taking Poshan Pledge led by Theyiehunuo.
The programme was chaired by supervisor Keneilhoupfenuo and AWW Mhasile offered the invocation prayer.
Chare block: The release informed that hand washing demonstration camp was conducted at 11 schools and 42 Anganwadi centers under Chare block on March 11 where proper and hygienic way of washing hands was demonstrated to more than 1000 students and children.
An awareness camp for adolescent girls was also conducted at the town hall, Chare new town on March 13 where participants were sensitized on menstrual health and hygiene and the impact of menstrual cycle on health especially during adolescence and causes of anemia and its prevention.
Earlier during the programme, CDPO Chare, Moa Longkumer delivered welcome and keynote address and highlighted the importance of Poshan Abhiyan and Poshan Pakhwada activities and objectives, ASHA coordinator, Achila moderated the programme while ANM PHC, Chare, Tsarila was the resource person. More than 100 girl students of Chare town and Chare village participated in the awareness camp and underwent anemia screening tests.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by Assistant Chief Technical Officer, Animal Science, Dr. Paihem Michui, welcome address was delivered by office superintendent-cum-accountant, S. Monyu Konyak and vote of thanks by technical officer computer, Kevi Medom. Altogether 71 farmers and farm women attended the programme from NICRA adopted village Ngangching.