Doctors spread word about menstrual hygiene in Odisha

BHUBANESWAR: Women doctors at MKCG Medical College and Hospital on Friday reached out to patients in the gynaecology department and those in the OPD to educate them about hygiene practice during menstruation and distributed napkin kits to around 100 patients on the occasion of World Menstrual Hygiene Day.
Each kit consists of a sanitary pad, soap, detergent soap and two sachets of shampoo. On the first day they distributed the kits among 100 patients and have set a target to distribute them at least among 1000 women who visit the medical college.
The kits were distributed through the platform of Seva (social empowerment through vision and assistance), formed by a group of house surgeons to assist the needy who visit the hospital amid Covid-19 pandemic.
“We spoke to the women about the use of sanitary napkins and the need to maintain hygiene during their monthly menstruation period while distributing the kits,” said Tanushree, a house surgeon. “We have decided to distribute the sanitary napkins and create awareness on how to use them, as we have seen several women still use piece of clothe as napkin,” added Abhilipsa, another house surgeon.
“Lack of knowledge about basic hygienic practices during menstruation is often not well addressed by women, at times even those educated. It is necessary for every woman to have a healthy period to maintain good health,” said Tejaswi Nayak, another house surgeon.
“At the same time we also educated them to get rid of age-old taboo and perceptions which indicate that women should not indulge in activities when they are menstruating. We encouraged women to be active to prove that period does not get in the way of living our lives,” Tanushree added.
Earlier, the doctors distributed masks and free meals to attendants of patients and also provided tele-consultation in the wake of Covid-19.
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