Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 03 March 2025
A five-day training program on Adolescent Friendly Health Services under the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) was conducted from February 24 to 28 at the auditorium of Tagore Government College of Education (TGCE). The training aimed to broaden the scope of adolescent healthcare beyond sexual and reproductive health, covering areas such as nutrition, injuries and violence—including gender-based violence—non-communicable diseases, mental health, and substance misuse.
The event was graced by Dr. Suja Antony, Director of Health Services, along with Dr. H.M. Sidharaju, Deputy Director (FW), Dr. Avijit Roy, Deputy Director (Health), and Dr. Subrato Saha, Project Director (ANACS).
In her address, Dr. Suja Antony emphasized the importance of regularly conducting Adolescent Friendly Health Clinics (AFHCs) at healthcare institutions. She also urged healthcare workers to encourage adolescents to seek professional help for any physical or mental health concerns.
The training sessions were led by a panel of experts, including Dr. Amrita Burma, Assistant Professor, PSM, ANIIMS; Dr. Manjulata Rao, Principal, TGCE; Dr. Shafique, Medical Officer (Homoeopathy); Dr. Jahanara Yasmin, Deputy Director (MS & IEC), ANACS; and Ms. Hemalatha, Clinical Psychologist, GB Pant Hospital.
A total of 28 Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) and 15 Counselors from various healthcare institutions participated in the training, equipping them with the necessary skills to address adolescent health issues effectively.