Health and Wellness program under SVARNIM Puducherry - School Health Action Research Project (SHARP).
The project was initiated with nutrition awareness programs/sessions in 15 Government schools of Puducherry in December 2022. The Health team is reaching out to the communities nearer to the schools to identify the current needs on health topics among the community members with the coordination of local SHG groups and Anganwadi teachers.
So far, four community awareness sessions have been conducted based on the identified needs among the community members. Three sessions on cancer awareness, especially on breast cancer and cervical cancer, were conducted in Muthialpet, Keezhparikalpet and Kalmandabam communities.
These sessions are conducted in collaboration with the East Coast Institute of Medical Science, Moolakulam.
A team of resource persons from the East Coast Institute of Medical Sciences - Mrs Kavitha, Vice Principal; Mrs Vallatharasi, Assistant professor; Mrs Badma Priya, Assistant professor; Mrs D. Josphin Martina, Assistant Professor Mrs N. Revathi, Assistant professor interacted with the local community women group and detailed them about breast cancer. They explained breast self-examination techniques to help identify the initial or beginning stage of cancer. Also, the different stages of breast cancer were explained in detail and their treatments. Similarly, knowledge sharing on cervical cancer was also done.
Participation details:
Muthialpet: 30 women in the age group of 25 to 60
Keezhparikalpet: 27 women in the age group of 21 to 65
Kalmandabam: 26 women in the age group of 18 to 70
In Ganapathichettikulam, a mental health awareness session was conducted for the local community. Dr Jayachandran started the session on empathy – its meaning and the need to practice it daily. Dr Vinothkumar conducted activity-based sessions.
There were around 17 participants in the session. The participants shared their problems and sought out ways to overcome them. Towards the end of the session, Mrs Thirupama, Staff Nurse, PHC, Ganapathichettikulam, delivered a speech on the necessity of mental health awareness and its effects.
