Sundernagar slum holds awareness, health

Hoshiarpur / Daljit Ajnoha :  Following guidelines from Civil Surgeon Hoshiarpur Dr. Mandeep Kamal and under the leadership of District Vaccination Officer Dr. Seema Garg, a special awareness and health camp was organised at Anganwadi Centre-1 in the Sundernagar slum area as part of World Breastfeeding Week. The camp aimed to educate pregnant and breastfeeding mothers about the importance of breastfeeding and to provide maternal and child health services.
The event’s chief guest was Hoshiarpur Municipal Corporation Mayor Parveen Saini. Counsellor Chandrawati of Sundernagar and Counsellor Jatinder Kaur Pinky of Fatehgarh also attended. Mayor Saini appealed to residents to pay special attention to child health and safety, urging parents to dress children in full-sleeved clothing to protect them from mosquitoes and to maintain cleanliness around their homes.
As part of World Breastfeeding Week activities, mothers received detailed information on breastfeeding. They were advised to initiate breastfeeding as soon as possible after birth, to feed infants exclusively on breast milk for the first six months, and to continue breastfeeding alongside appropriate complementary foods for at least two years or longer.
Dr. Seema Garg emphasised the significance of breast milk, calling it nature’s complete food for newborns that contains essential nutrients and antibodies required for proper growth and protection against diseases. She underlined the importance of colostrum — the thick yellowish milk produced immediately after birth — and urged mothers not to discard it under any circumstances. Mothers were encouraged to breastfeed correctly and frequently.
The camp also provided awareness on several child and maternal health topics. Parents were instructed on preparing and using ORS for childhood diarrhoea. They were taught to recognise pneumonia’s primary signs and to seek immediate medical attention if a child shows difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, or other serious symptoms. Attendees were advised against self-medication for fever and told to consult a physician and undergo blood tests when necessary.
Adolescent girls and women received sessions on menstrual hygiene, including correct use of sanitary pads and timely changing to maintain cleanliness during menstruation.
Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers were provided iron and calcium tablets at the camp, along with counselling on balanced diets and nutrition. Vardhman Threads distributed sanitary pads to adolescent girls and arranged refreshments for mothers and children. Madam Poonam Paul and Madam Muskaan from Vardhman Threads attended the camp.
In addition to maternal and child health services, the camp offered general OPD services. Health checks were conducted, haemoglobin tests performed, and free medicines provided where required.
The mobile medical unit of Hans Foundation, Behchur, offered special support. Under project manager Umesh Pant, Medical Officer Dr. Pawan Kumar examined patients. Pharmacist Sunil Singh dispensed medicines, lab technician Varinder Singh conducted haemoglobin and other essential tests, and S.P.O. Pooja Guleria assisted with smooth camp management. Pilot Manish Kumar helped operate the mobile medical unit.
Anganwadi worker Mrs. Seema and ASHA workers Mrs. Rita, Mrs. Baljeet Kaur, and Mrs. Sarabjit Kaur played a key role in mobilising pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and ensuring wide participation.
The health department’s anti-larva team sprayed the surrounding area to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and carried out a fever survey in nearby houses. Residents were advised to prevent water stagnation and maintain cleanliness to protect against dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases.
Shivalik Hills Foundation supported the camp’s arrangements. Representatives Amarjeet Harmol, Neetu Kaur and Jyoti Puri were present and assisted in organising the event.
The camp concluded successfully through a joint effort by the Health Department, Hans Foundation’s MMU, Shivalik Hills Foundation, Vardhman Threads, ASHA and Anganwadi workers, and other partner organisations.