Imphal: Chief Minister Shri N. Biren Singh launched the Chief Minister’s Menstrual Hygiene Scheme (CMMHS) today at Wangkhei High School, Imphal East. He also launched the Chief Minister MitkiLayeng (CMML) Scheme and Mobile Ophthalmic Bus.

The programme was organised by the Directorate of Health Services and State Health Society, National Health Mission, Manipur. The programme also included Integration of CMML and National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP) with Chief Minister’s Health for All.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri N. Biren Singh maintained that the State Government is giving priority to health and education sector and as such, various schemes have been taken up for the development of the sectors. He continued that education and awareness on menstrual cycle isvery important for women and taking care of it helps in healthy development and growth of adolescent girls.

Stating that the world is changing fast, the Chief Minister stated that we need to be transparent and not to feel shy in expressing about the menstrual cycle. He added that not only the medical staff, but also teachers also have an important role in educating girl students on menstrual cycle. He also mentioned that the State Government would try to cover all the Schools of the State with CMMHS soon.

Shri N. Biren Singh further maintained that his government always fulfils their commitment towards the public adding that the Wangkhei High School had been upgraded to Higher Secondary School as announced earlier. He continued that the State Government had sent proposal to upgrade the infrastructure of 275 High Schools and 35 Higher Secondary schools under Prime Minister's development initiative for North East region (PM-DevINE).

The Chief Minister appreciated health staff and ASHAs of the State for the selfless service rendered during the COVID-19 Pandemic, with which the State had overcome the pandemic. He also gave credit to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for the achievements of the State stating that all the initiatives had been taken up under the guidance of the Prime Minister.

He spoke on the benefits provides to the people through Chief Minister-g iHakshelgi Tengbang (CMHT) and Ayushman Bharat Scheme. He continued that the people of Manipur have the habit of ignoring health problems until it becomes serious and fatal. As such, the State Government had started the Chief Minister’s Health for All Scheme to ensure early detection and early treatment of diseases. Door to Door visit by health staff and testing are done under the scheme. So far, more than 800 villages with around 3.5 lakhs people had been covered under the Scheme.

Shri N. Biren mentioned that the Government has constructed Open Gyms in various places considering the importance of healthcare adding that Open Gyms for remaining areas would be developed soon. He further spoke on the campaigns carried out by the Government for preserving the nature and mitigating the global warming.

Stating the role of women of Manipur in shaping the society and their achievements, the Chief Minister informed that the State Cabinet had taken the decision to focus on women’s power and showcase it to representatives of G-20 Countries during their visit in the state. He appealed to the public to support the Government initiatives to develop the State and make Manipur a Model State in the entire Country.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Sapam Ranjan, while delivering his presidential speech, congratulated the Health Department Officials on receiving the best performance award in Tele consultations category of Health and Wellness Centers (Small State) on Universal Health Coverage Day 2022 held at Varanasi recently. He added that award is the result of the Chief Minister’s initiatives and concerned for healthcare sector. He spoke on the recognition of Chief Minister’s Health for All in various platforms.

The Minister informed that Chief Minister’s Menstrual Hygiene Scheme (CMMHS) will cover all schools soon. Stating on the benefits to be given by Chief Minister’s Mitki Layeng Scheme, he informed that the State had set the target of cataract surgery for 2022-23 as 3000 adding that the state has done around 2850 surgery so far. He also expressed hopefulness that an eye bank will be launched in the state soon.

During the programme, the Chief Minister distributed 14 Advanced Life Support (ALS), one each for     Kamjong District, Tengnoupal District, Noney District, Pherzawl District, Thoubal District, Bishnupur District, Imphal East District, Imphal West District, Ukhrul District, Senapati District, Tamenglong District, Churachandpur District, Chandel District and one for Directorate of Health central pool. He also distributed kits for door-to-door campaign for Chief Minister Mitki Layeng Scheme and National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP).

The programme was attended by Speaker, Manipur Legislative Assembly Shri Thokchom Satyabrata Singh, Education Minister Shri Th. Basanta Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary Shri V. Vumlunmang, Director, Health Services Dr Kh Sasheekumar Mangang, State Mission Director, NHM Dr.Somorjit Ningombam, Doctors, Health Staff, Teachers and Students among others.

Later, Chief Minister Shri N. Biren Singh also inaugurated a Cow (San) Mela in the afternoon at Oinam Sagol Kangjeibung, Bishnupur District.

Addressing the function, the Chief Minister said that the mela is part of the inauguration month which is celebrated by the government. The Chief Minister stated that the mela will be conducted every six months and identified cow owners will be awarded with monetary prizes of Rs.1,00,00, Rs.50,000 etc. and further called against unnecessary selling off of cows. He said the mela will be conducted at different districts.

The Chief Minister also said that the DC has been instructed to identify fields for cattle fodder with proper consultation with the MLAs, so that we can identify fodder fields and playgrounds. The major obstacle in rearing cow today is because of lack of fodder, the Chief Minister said before stressing that the main objective behind encouraging cow rearing is to encourage natural and organic farming in the State.

The Chief Minister elaborated that today there is an increase risks of developing cancer and other critical ailments including diabetes etc. which was unheard of in olden times because today people are consuming vegetables laded with chemicals. Under the supervision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Union Minister Shri Amit Shah, this is an effort to encourage organic and natural farming by use of cattle manure and other organic fertilizers.

We are also turning the phumdis from Loktak Lake into organic fertilizers, he said stating that we are discouraging chemical fertilizers. We have also taken a decision that instead of chemical fertilizer, we will initiate and encourage use of nano-fertilizers, the Chief Minister added.

Shri N. Biren Singh also said that the government will acquire drones for spraying nano-fertilizers to cover the entire State. Stressing that we cannot survive without the farmers, the Chief Minister said that this is the main reason behind the government’s save agricultural land policy. We are also putting efforts like encouraging double cropping, distribution of seeds, machineries and building dams to ensure self sufficient production in the State.

Minister for Agriculture Shri Th. Biswajit Singh, Minister for PWD Shri Govindas Konthoujam, Minister for Education Shri Th. Basantakumar Singh, Minister for Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Shri Khashim Vashum, MLA of Oinam AC Smt. Irengbam Nalini Devi, officials of various departments and others were present during the mela.