206 Adolescent Health Days Observed across state since April 2021

SHIMLA: The Government Spokesperson today said that the young children especially teenagers experience rapid physical, cognitive and psychosocial growth. He said that this is a healthy stage of life where most of the health issues pertaining to youngsters are preventable or treatable. During this phase, of their lives theydevelopdisparate patterns of behavior, which might be related to diet, physical activity, substance use, and sexual activity. At this stage, they have a potential either to protect their health and the health of others around them, or put their health at risk now and in the future. Hence keeping this view the health department celebrates Adolescent Health Days regularly.
The Adolescent Health Day (AHD) is a unique initiative that primarily focus on school going and out of school adolescent (10-19 years) or (class 6th to 12th) and includes all the Government and Private schools.It aims to raise awareness and disseminate the knowledge on health needs and issues among these children and stakeholders (parents, teachers etc.).
The Government spokesperson informed that AHDs are being conducted at the school level or any other public place where adolescents and all stakeholders have easy accessibility. The Health Department Team includes RBSK Mobile Health Team, Medical Officer of PHC/CHC of concerned area, Adolescent Health Counselor, Health Educator/FHW or any paramedics trained in adolescent health, Community Health Officer to hold the session of AHD. The services being provided during AHDs includes general health checkup, anemia testing, mental health, reproductive health, substance misuse, menstrual hygiene and other general physical developmental and growth concerns.Various competitions like quiz, poster making, extempore etc. are organized to make the event interesting for the beneficiaries. In context of COVID and CAB, the AHD have played a significant role.
The Government spokesperson added that 206 AHDs have been celebratedacross the districts till now from April 2021.