JAMMU: Director of School Education Jammu, Ashok Kumar Sharma in presence of Dr Ritu Singh, Narayana Hospital and Pink & Blue Foundation, inaugurated woman and girl child health camp at DPS Katra under the aegis of Dr Ritu Singh's project Amanat.

The event was graced by the presence of Dr. Ritu Singh along with the Chief Guest, Ashok Kumar Sharma - Director of School Education Jammu, Guests of Honour, M.M Madhavan-Facility Director of Narayana Hospital, Katra, Rohit Dubey-District President BJP, Ritu Thakur, President Mahila Mukti Morcha Reasi and Mamta Sharma, Deputy Director Education Jammu.

The guests were felicitated with khadi certificates and potted plants by Dr. Ritu Singh.

The health camp witnessed a gathering of around 850 women and girl children from various schools, including HSS (G) Reasi, HSS Katra, HSS Panthal, GHS Katra, HS Nomain, and villages such as Baba Bansal, Matyail Pump, Asia Chowk, Amba Kids, and Magaal. Apart from the distribution of free sanitary napkins, a comprehensive health check-up camp, including Breast Cancer Screening and general gynaecology checkups, were organized by medical experts from Narayana Hospital.

Ashok Sharma lauded the efforts of DPS schools for their outreach and extended his whole hearted support to the event. Narayana Hospital brought a medical bus equipped with modern machinery for breast cancer screening, further emphasizing the importance of women's health.

Dr. Beena Jad, Senior Consultant & Infection Control Specialist, SMVDSH from Narayana Hospital, delivered an awareness talk on menstrual health and hygiene.

Ashok Sharma emphasized the importance of discussing menstrual health openly, stating that it is a natural process of human and animal reproduction.

He lauded the initiative of Dr. Ritu Singh and efforts of DPS Schools, recognizing their efforts in spreading awareness in rural households.

He further mentioned that the education department would actively support this mission to create a lasting impact on menstrual hygiene. Dr. Beena Jad said that periods are a God gifted phenomenon and one should not hesitate to discuss about menstrual hygiene with family members and doctors. Also, the mothers in the family should aware the girl children from class fifth onwards about it. Moreover they shouldn't take any sort of stress or taboo.

Dr. Ritu Singh, shed light on the significance of menstrual hygiene and health, coinciding with the observance of Menstrual Hygiene Day. She emphasized the significance of menstrual hygiene as a human right and the importance of spreading accurate information and awareness to empower women in making informed decisions about their health.

Other members present were Mamta Sharma, Rohit Dubey, Ritu Thakur, Ruchi Chabra, Raj Kumar Verma, Simmi Sharma, Manikarnika Sharma, Karandeep Singh and R.C Gupta.