The Jipmer’s Health Education for All initiative, which raised public awareness on topics ranging from fever and hand hygiene to diabetes and cancer, celebrated its first anniversary on Tuesday.
The initiative which was launched by Jipmer Director S.C. Parija under the auspices of the Jipmer’s “Health Education for All” Forum on May 26, 2015, aimed at improving public awareness on common health conditions and its management. It featured a series of interactive programmes in Tamil for general public, patients and their caregivers on a fortnightly basis.
At the anniversary meet on Tuesday, Dr. Kadambari, Chairperson, JHEI, said that the objectives of the initiatives were to take health messages closer to the people who may need it. This initiative has provided a platform where people can be updated regarding the management of common conditions and clarify various myths and misconceptions related to various health and diseases.
Dr. Vishnu Bhat, Dean Research, Jipmer who released the annual report, said that this forum is not only helpful to the public to update themselves regarding various health issues, but it was also a great platform for medical and nursing students, para-medical staff, school teachers, Anganwadi workers.
Dr. Premrajan, Secretary, JHEI, said the involvement of multiple departments in imparting necessary health education was the strength of this initiative. To expand the reach, all the sessions were telecast using NKN Connectivity to all Medical Colleges of South India (NMCN Project).
According to Chitraleka, Social Service Officer, Jipmer, the success of the programme owed to the support from staff and faculties of the institute.
The anniversary session focused on ‘Psychological well-being: Managing Stress and Enhancing Coping Skills.”
The programme was led by specialists from Department of Psychiatry and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.
The session included live demonstrations and interactive discussion on ways to manage stress and enhancing coping.
