Ina first of its kind, the Community Health Initiative launched the first ever Sanitary Vending cum Incinerator Napkin Machines in Nagaland at Livingstone Foundation Hr. Sec. School during a program on February 12 (Photo courtesy: LFHSS)
Dimapur, February 12 (MExN): The Community Health Initiative (CHI) has moved a step ahead in ensuring the well-being and empowerment of girl students by launching the first ever Sanitary Vending cum Incinerator Napkin Machines in Nagaland State on the premises of Livingstone Foundation Hr. Sec. School (LFHSS) on February 12.
The machines were inaugurated by the Dr. Mhasiseno Belho, Obstetrician & Gynecologist and Proprietor of Belho Clinic & Nursing Home, Walford.
“The launching of the Incinerator cum Vending Machine would not only help to improve menstrual hygiene but also lead to the control of undue environmental pollution due to the fact that the used sanitary pads can be easily disposed by burning them in the incinerator,” stated the LFHSS in a press statement today.
At the launch program, Dr. Andrew Ahoto, Chairperson of LFHSS, hoped that this move would empower the girl child in today’s world afflicted by gender bias and inequities.
Dr. Belho spoke on the importance of health and hygiene for girls and stressed upon the need for sex education for students in schools so they can detangle from the various stigmas related to sex and related problems especially among teenagers.
She also spoke on the ways and means to prevent Cervical Cancer which was the commonest cancer among the women between 20 and 40 years of age. She advised the gathering of girl students from Grades IX to XII to get vaccinated against Cervical Cancer by undergoing the vaccination course of three shots for a healthy life in the future.
Programme Leader of CHI, Dr. Rhondemo Kikon in his keynote address deliberated on the CHI focus on improving health in rural Nagaland.
“The vision of CHI is to support the development of healthier and sustainable communities in Nagaland. Within communities, CHI aims to support synergistically government structures, civil society, families and health workers,” said Dr. Kikon who is a Public Health Scientist and has previously worked with Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and World Health Organization (WHO). He is also a Returning Expert from Germany under the Center for International Migration and Development (GIZ/CIM) Program.
The Director of CHI, Loreni Sophia, who formally launched the incinerator cum vending machines, gave a detailed demonstration of the machines. She was thankful to LFHSS for encouraging such a venture whereby there would be a revolutionary change in the field of menstrual hygiene among female students.
According to her, the vending machines will dispense Anion Sanitary Napkin Pads costing Rs.5 and Rs.10 respectively. “Anion Sanitary Napkins are designed to enhance physical health and mental well-being as opposed to the ordinary gel type of Sanitary Napkins presently available in the market and the usage of which is not health-effective in the long run as they may cause cancer,” she informed.
