Social Welfare Minister Kyrmen Shylla inaugurates Adolescent Health Resource Centre in Khliehriat

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 21, 2022

Meghalaya Social Welfare Minister Kyrmen Shylla on Thursday inaugurated the Adolescent Health Resource Centre (AHRC) at Khliehriat Higher Secondary School, East Jaintia Hills in the presence of Abhilash Baranwal, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills District, Khliehriat, Dr. Dominic Shylla, District Medical and Health Officer, East Jaintia Hills District, Khliehriat among others.

Organized by the office of the District Medical & Health Officer, East Jaintia Hills District, Khliehriat.

Addressing the gathering as the Chief Guest, Kyrmen Shylla said that the launching of the centre in Khliehriat Higher Secondary School will benefit the adolescents in the district and all the adolescents should feel free to share their thoughts and problems with the counselors present in the centre. He also said that substance misuse among adolescents is a problem that needs to be solved and the centre will cater to the needs of the students of the school and adolescents from other areas in the district by providing proper counseling and awareness.

Deputy Commissioner East Jaintia Hills, Abhilash Baranwal in his speech stressed on the need to keep following up on measures to tackle the problems faced among adolescents so as to fulfill the purpose and objective of the AHRC established in the school.

Dr. Handaka L Suting, DEIC said the objective of the Adolescent Health Resource Centre (AHRC) is to reduce teenage pregnancy by 1% (percent) per year, to improve nutrition, and reduce nutritional anemia among adolescents by 3% (percent) per year, to increase availability and access to information about adolescent health, to forge multi-sectoral partnership to create a safe and supportive environment for adolescents and stakeholders, to increase adolescent’s awareness of the adverse effect and consequences of substances misuse.

During the programme, adolescent girls took part in the pledge taking against teenage pregnancy led by Dr. Icilian Dkhar, Medical Officer, RBSK, Khliehriat block, along with the counsellors. Also, students along with the medical team consumed the Weekly Iron-Folic Supplements(WIFS). Other highlights of the programme included a debate competition and prize distribution to the winners of the competition. 

A detailed report about the RKSK programme and activities conducted in the District was given by Dr. W. Bamon, DNO, RBSK/ RKSK, East Jaintia Hills District, and BL Kharmalki, Project Officer AHANA, East Jaintia Hills District spoke on the topic “Sexual Health and issues affecting adolescents”. Among others who also spoke were Dr. Dominic Shylla, District Medical and Health Officer, East Jaintia Hills District, Khliehriat, Father Jose Josh, Principal, Khliehirat Higher Secondary School, and Daphihi Passah, RKSK Adolescent Counsellor, Khliehriat.