On b'day, Modi launches health outreach for women & children

On Sept 17, his 75th birthday, PM Narendra Modi launched India's largest-ever health outreach programme for women and children, called the Swastha Nari Sashakt Parivar health initiative, and exhorted women to actively participate in the initiative.

Under the initiative, the govt is going to organise more than 10 lakh health camps between Sept 17 and Oct 2 across all its health facilities, from Ayushman Arogya Mandirs to tertiary hospitals, to screen women for common health issues like anaemia, hypertension, diabetes and cancer. Some private hospitals have also volunteered to conduct camps to screen women for common health problems.



"Today, I have come here to demand something from my mothers and sisters. All I ask is that you should attend these camps without any hesitation," the PM said. tnn

State treasury not important than health: PM
Tests and medicines are free. State treasury is not more important than your health," the PM said while speaking at the launch event in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh.

Prime Minister Modi said women are the main foundation for national development. "If a mother is healthy, the whole family stays healthy. A mother's health impacts the whole family. Therefore, this campaign is dedicated to mothers and sisters and for their healthy future," he added.

Noting that sickle cell anaemia is a pertinent issue in the tribal regions of the country, the PM particularly appealed to tribal women to take advantage of the benefits available during the campaign period. He also stated that all tests and medicines in the health centres will be free of cost. "Our resolve is that no mother or daughter should be left behind. Those who require further treatment can avail themselves of the protective cover (suraksha kavach) provided by the Ayushman cards," PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister also launched the Adi Karmyogi Abhiyan on the occasion. The Adi Karmyogi Abhiyan initiative will include a series of service-oriented activities in tribal regions focusing on health, education, nutrition and skill development.

The government runs multiple programmes targeted towards improving women's health. However, multiple studies suggest poorer health indices among them as compared to men, especially in rural areas.

The Union govt's latest initiative, jointly led by the health ministry and the ministry of women and child development, aims to provide women-centric preventive, promotive, and curative health services at the community level. "The initiative will strengthen screening, early detection, and treatment linkages for non-communicable diseases, anaemia, tuberculosis, and sickle cell disease, while also promoting maternal, child, and adolescent health through antenatal care, immunisation, nutrition, menstrual hygiene, lifestyle and mental health awareness activities," a senior health ministry official said.

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