Kargil, Feb 05, 2023: Chairman/CEC, LAHDC, Kargil, Feroz Ahmad Khan today inaugurated an awareness program on menstrual health and hygiene organized by Baqirya Health Care and Research Centre (BHC&RC) Kargil in collaboration with LAHDC, Kargil, here at Auditorium Hall.

The CEC was the chief guest while Joint Director, Information, Ladakh, Imteeaz Kacho was the guest of honor. Chief Medical Officer Kargil, Commanding Officer Military Hospital Kargil, Chief Education Officer Kargil, Assistant Labour Commissioner Kargil, Executive Officer MC Kargil, Headquarter Assistant to DC Kargil, Program Officer ICDS Kargil, president BHC&RC, Dr Ahmed Ali, doctors from BHC&RC and more than 200 participants attended the inaugural function.

The CEC congratulated the BHC&RC for organizing the mega awareness program aimed to aware women and girls across Kargil district. He appreciated BHC&RC for receiving the state award in the field of social reform and environment protection this year.

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He hailed BHC&RC’s efforts in carrying out various philanthropic works in the district with a focus on health which is benefitting people. Khan also appreciated the BHC&RC for organizing the menstrual health and hygiene program and assured all possible assistance from LAHDC Kargil.

The CEC also directed members of BHC&RC to organize such programs for rural women so that maximum women, young and adolescent girls are sensitized. He stressed that the departments like health, education and sports to work with zeal to spread awareness on menstrual health and hygiene.

He advised adolescent girls to use menstrual cup instead of sanitary pad as the menstrual cup has multiple benefits while sanitary pads cause infections as per the doctors.

The CEC also said free distribution of sanitary pads will now be changed to menstrual cups so that it can be utilized at a large scale throughout the UT.

In his address, Joint Director, Information, Ladakh, Imteeaz Kacho appreciated the work progress of BHC&RC and requested to focus on rural areas as well.

He also said menstrual cup maintains health of adolescent girls, prevents them from infection and also protects environment. He said everyone should be concerned about the health of women folk as they are part and parcel of society.

During the program, the CMO Kargil informed about various objectives of the Union Health Ministry from awareness to the standard of living of young girls. He briefed about the merits and demerits of using pads and suggested participating girls use menstrual cups.

Dr Nasreen Fatima in her presentation explained the scientific evidence regarding menstrual cup use. She talked about various toxic chemicals that are present in pads like Dioxins and Furans, Pesticides Residue, Adhesive Chemicals, unknown fragrance chemicals etc.

She talked about economic value of menstrual cup and its benefits adding that it can be used for 10 years and is non-allergic, eco-friendly, can be inserted and removed easily. Dr Nasreen also spoke about the risk factors of using menstrual pads.

Earlier, president BHC&RC, Dr Ahmed Ali presented welcome speech and briefed about progress and achievements of BHC&RC. He thanked LAHDC Kargil for its support.

He said the sensitization program started as a pilot project and with the help of resource persons and contributors, the project has now been universalized and innovative ideas were added for menstrual health. Dr Ahmed said the use of menstrual cup can sensitize adolescent girls and help them to maintain their menstrual health and hygiene.

He displayed various pilot projects regarding menstrual health held at different locations of the UT adding that the mission is aimed to prioritize health issues in society.

At the program, the guests distributed packed menstrual cups to participants and advised them to use the same scientifically. Later, Medical Officer, Dr Ghulam Mehdi presented the vote of thanks.