Saturday, January 25, 2014

National Girl Child Day celebrated

GANGTOK, 24 Jan: National Girl Child Day is celebrated on 24 January every year. The day was celebrated in the state at the European Commission Hall of National Health Mission Building at STNM Complex under the chairmanship of Principal Chief Consultant-cum-Medical Superintendent STNM Hospital, Dr. Yogesh Verma.
A press release informs that Dr. Verma highlighted the need for a change in the attitude towards a girl child so that they get deserving attention and support. Society and the law enforcers need to enforce Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Technique act in letter and spirit so that the state can further be improved, he stated.
Earlier Mission Director, National Health Mission, Dr. PM Pradhan, presented the objectives of a National Girl Child Day celebration and status of girl child in Sikkim. Sikkim is one of the progressive states in terms of reduction of Infant Mortality Rate and in the sex ratio which is 957 compared to the national level which is only 914, he said.
Overall performance of women of younger generation in many fields is better than their male counterparts as the policy of the government is favorable to the girl child, he added. However, there is concern of minimal decline in sex ratio in 0-6 yrs age group and slightly higher infant mortality rate in girl child which was explained in detail to the participants, the release mentions.
In addition to the service provided and becoming more sensitive to the need of the girl child there is need for strict enforcement of Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Technique act, it is stated.
Steps to be taken up for enforcement of PCPNDT act in Sikkim are: Massive awareness through VHSNC, VHND, regular programmes, etc; Sensitization of judiciary; Training of district appropriate authority and programme officers; Strict enforcement of PCPNDT Act through regular inspection, surprise raids including decoy (sting operation).
Through interaction it is observed that family with girl child seems to be happier than family with only male child which is very positive in Sikkim, the release informs.
The Mission Director urged all the participants to commit themselves and to enforce and work hard towards providing quality care so that there can be further improvement in sex ratio in the age group of 0-6 years and further bring down the Infant Mortality Rate in girl child.
However, there is need to fill the gap to ensure proper attitude of the government and civil society together to give girl child the place they deserve to make Sikkim a better place. The meeting was closed with vote of thanks by Deputy Director (NHM), Dr. Indra Chettri.


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