TS govt to distribute adolescent health kits to girls of govt schools, college

Hyderabad: Telangana government has decided to distribute adolescent health kits to girls studying in government schools and colleges across the state. On 16 November, the Telangana Ministry of Health, Medical, and Family Welfare issued an order regarding the same. The state government plans to procure and distribute adolescent health kits to girl students in government schools (from classes 8 to 12) and government colleges in Telangana. The move is expected to benefit nearly 11 lakh girls studying in the state.

According to the order, Rs.69.52 crores will be accorded for the procurement and distribution of kits. The funds are being provided from the National Health Mission (NHM) funds.

In 2022-23, 11 lakh kits will be distributed in the remaining six months of the financial year. These kits will contain a zipper bag, sanitary napkins (6 packs), and a water bottle. In 2023-24, 22 lakh kits will be distributed over a period of 12 months which will contain 12 packs of sanitary napkins.

The programme is being implemented under the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyam (RKSK). RKSK was launched in 2014 by the union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for adolescents, in the age group of 10-19 years, which was aimed to target their nutrition, reproductive health and substance abuse, among other issues.

According to the National Family Health Survey-5, approximately 32% of young women aged 15 to 24 use cloth as a napkin. Uterine and urinary tract infections result from this. In light of this, the government has chosen to issue health and hygiene kits to help adolescent girls aged 14 to 19 during menstruation. This will allow them to stay healthy and thus focus more on their schoolwork. It also contributes to an increase in female student attendance.