Biren Singh launches Chief Minister’s menstrual hygiene scheme

Seeks public support in making Manipur a model state for entire country

Our Correspondent 

Imphal, Dec. 15 (EMN): Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Thursday launched the Chief Minister’s Menstrual Hygiene Scheme (CMMHS) at Wangkhei High School, Imphal East. He also launched the Chief Minister MitkiLayeng (CMML) Scheme and Mobile Ophthalmic Bus.

The programme was organised by the Directorate of Health Services and State Health Society, National Health Mission, Manipur. The programme also included Integration of CMML and National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP) with Chief Minister’s Health for All.

Speaking on the occasion, Biren Singh maintained that the state government is giving priority to the health and education sectors and as such, various schemes have been taken up for the development of the sectors. He continued that education and awareness on the menstrual cycle is very important for women and taking care of it helps in the healthy development and growth of adolescent girls.

Stating that the world is changing fast, the chief minister stated that one needs to be transparent and not to feel shy in expressing about the menstrual cycle. He added that not only the medical staff, but the teachers also have an important role in educating girl students on the menstrual cycle.

He mentioned that the state government will try to cover all the schools of the state with CMMHS soon.

Biren Singh further maintained that his government always fulfils their commitment towards the public adding that the Wangkhei High School had been upgraded to Higher Secondary School as announced earlier. He continued that the State Government had sent a proposal to upgrade the infrastructure of 275 high schools and 35 higher secondary schools under Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East region (PM-DevINE).

The chief minister appreciated health staff and ASHAs of the state for the selfless service rendered during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He spoke on the benefits provided to the people through Chief Minister-g iHakshelgi Tengbang (CMHT) and Ayushman Bharat Scheme. He continued that the people of Manipur have the habit of ignoring health problems until it becomes serious and fatal. As such, the state government had started the Chief Minister’s Health for All Scheme to ensure early detection and early treatment of diseases. Door-to-door visits by health staff and testing are being done under the scheme with 800 villages and around 3.5 lakh people covered under the scheme.

Biren mentioned that the government has constructed open gyms at various places considering the importance of healthcare adding that open gyms for remaining areas would be developed soon.

Stating the role of women of Manipur in shaping the society and their achievements, the chief minister informed that the state cabinet has taken the decision to focus on women’s power and showcase it to representatives of G-20 countries during their visit in the state. He appealed to the public to support the government’s initiatives towards developing the state in making Manipur a model state for the entire Country.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Sapam Ranjan, while delivering his presidential speech, congratulated the Health Department Officials on receiving the best performance award in Tele consultations category of Health and Wellness Centers (Small State) on Universal Health Coverage Day 2022 held at Varanasi recently.

The minister informed that CMMHS will cover all schools soon. Stating on the benefits to be given by CMML scheme, he informed that the state has set the target of cataract surgery for 2022-23 as 3000 adding that the state has done around 2850 surgeries so far.

During the programme, the chief minister distributed 14 Advanced Life Support (ALS), one each for     districts including Kamjong, Tengnoupal, Noney, Pherzawl, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Imphal East, Imphal West, Ukhrul, Senapati, Tamenglong, Churachandpur, Chandel and one for Directorate of Health central pool. He also distributed kits for door-to-door campaigns for CMML scheme and National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP).

Later, Chief Minister Biren Singh also inaugurated a Cow (San) Mela in the afternoon at Oinam Sagol Kangjeibung, Bishnupur district.

Addressing the function, the chief minister said that the mela is part of the inauguration month which is celebrated by the government.

Singh stated that the mela will be conducted every six months and identified cow owners will be awarded with monetary prizes of INR 1,00,00, INR 50,000, etc. and further called against unnecessary selling off of cows. He said the mela will be conducted in different districts.

Biren Singh also said that the government will acquire drones for spraying nano-fertilisers to cover the entire state. Stressing that one cannot survive without the farmers, the chief minister said that this is the main reason behind the government’s ‘save agricultural land policy’.