NONGPOH: The month-long celebration of Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) an adolescent health programme under the theme “The future is here, act now” which started since January 14 last, came to an end on Thursday at the St. Paul Parish hall, Nongpoh.
The RKSK which was launched on January 7, 2014 for the adolescents in the age group of 10-19 years with the objectives to improve nutrition, reduce the prevalence of malnutrition, iron-deficiency anaemia among adolescent girls and boys, improve sexual and reproductive health, enhance mental health, prevent injurious and violence, prevent substance misuse and to promote behaviour change in adolescents to prevent NCDs such as hypertension, stroke, cardio-vascular disease and diabetes.
In the month-long celebration, quiz, debate, extempore speech, drawing & painting, slogan, singing, dancing and phawar competitions, awareness programme, free health check-up were organised by different CHCs, PHCs Sub-Centre, State dispensaries in the district.
Chief guest and former Home Minister of Meghalaya, R G Lyngdoh in his speech highly appreciated the health department for such an important programme being organised in the district particularly for the youths so that through good health and guidance they could mould themselves and grow in the way of being the healthy and good citizen of the district and the state as a whole.
He urged the youths to take advantage that the government provide through the programme especially the Adolescent Counselling Centre set up in different CHCs and PHCs in the district.
The programme included felicitation of young achievers of Ri Bhoi district to Banisha Nongrum, winner for National Post Card writing competition, Ibapynhun Syiemlieh, winner Miss Glamour India 2017 and Nadia Syiemlieh, Queen of Universe at South Africa 2018.
Other highlights of the day were dancing, phawar competitions, beauty contest and live concert. G Warjri, DMCO, F. Suchiang, International Martial Arts Champion also spoke on the day while the programme was presided over by Donald Warjri
The same programme was also observed at Mawtneng village, in which celebrations included an inter village football match for adolescents between Umktieh and Lumsohpieng village, wherein Umktieh won the Winner’s trophy. Various activities like short skits by the adolescents and ASHAs of the village, self-composed songs related to youth issues like teenage pregnancy, alcohol and drugs abuse were appreciated by everyone.
There were demonstrations on physical activities by a trained athlete to create awareness on “being healthy”. Free health screening camps were set up to screen for Anemia, Oral health problems and Non- Communicable Diseases like Diabetes, Hypertension, Cancers etc., by doctors and dentists. Shri.
Pravin Bakshi, Secretary Health & Family Welfare and Mission Director of NHM, Government of Meghalaya was the chief Guest on the occasion.