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Menstural Hygiene Scheme (MHS)

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has introduced a scheme for promotion of menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls in the age group of 10-19 year in rural areas. The pilot is being implemented in 152 districts across 20 States in the country, wherein supply in 105 districts is through central procurement with quality assurance guidelines is through local Self Help Groups. The sanitary napkin packs (containing 6 pieces each) is branded as “Freedays”.
• 100 percent supply has been done by May 2012 in blocks where supply is through the centre
• Ordering for the second batch of sanitary napkins for the next quarter is being processed

The scheme aims at ensuring that adolescent girls in the target group have adequate knowledge and information about menstrual hygiene and the use of sanitary napkins, that high quality, safe products are made available to them, and that environmentally safe disposal mechanisms are readily accessible. The scheme has been launched as part of the Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health (ARSH) component under RCH II.

                 

In the first phase, the scheme is expected to cover approximately 25% of the country’s adolescent girl population (aged 10 to 19 years), i.e., 1.5 crore girls in 152 districts across 20 States. Out of these, supply of sanitary napkins in 107 districts was envisaged initially in a Central supply mode, wherein sanitary napkins were to be supplied by the Government of India. The supply of sanitary napkins in the remaining 45 districts was envisaged in a Self Help Group (SHG) mode, wherein SHGs were to manufacture the sanitary napkins that are to be sold to adolescent girls. Procurement of sanitary napkins, whether through Central supply by the Government of India, or through SHGs, has to be done at a fixed price of Rs. 7.50/- per pack of six sanitary napkins. The sanitary napkins are provided under NHM’s brand, ‘Freedays’. These napkins are being sold to adolescents girls at the rate of Rs. 6 per pack of six napkins by Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs). From out of the sale proceeds, the ASHA gets an incentive amount of Re. 1 per pack, besides getting a free pack of sanitary napkins per month and the balance Rs 5 is to be deposited in the State/district treasury. The scheme has taken off in 107 districts in the 17 States that are being supplied sanitary napkins through Central procurement.
Supply of sanitary napkins in 107 districts initially is being done in a Central supply mode, wherein sanitary napkins are being supplied by the Government of India. The supply of sanitary napkins in the remaining 45 districts is to be done through Self Help Groups (SHG), wherein SHGs are to manufacture the sanitary napkins that are to be sold to adolescent girls.

List of districts for Menstrual Hygiene Program in J & K:
1. Baramulla
2. Rajouri
3. Udhampur
4. Kathua
5. Kupwara
6. Doda
7. Poonch
8. Bandipora
9. Kishtwar
10. Ramban