Kohima College, in collaboration with its Women’s Cell and the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), organised an Awareness Programme on “Women’s Health” at the College Conference Hall under its flagship initiative, the Bridge Project—Connecting Academic Institutions with Local Communities. The programme aimed to sensitise and educate women from the local community on various health and wellness topics, with a special emphasis on self-care and preventive healthcare.
The event was chaired by Dr Limayangla Pongener, Assistant Professor, Department of English, who also delivered the welcome address. She highlighted the need to prioritise women’s and mothers’ health, which often becomes secondary within traditional family structures. Her remarks set the tone for the main talk by the resource person, Dr M Nukshisangla Jamir, MD (Community Medicine), Joint Director of the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society.
Dr Jamir led an informative and interactive session addressing a broad spectrum of health issues that women face across all stages of life. She pointed out that women often neglect their own health needs in favour of their families, leading to preventable conditions such as malnutrition, autoimmune diseases, depression, sleep disorders, and post-menopausal complications.
A major highlight of the session was the “1000 Days Concept,” which focuses on the period from conception to a child’s second birthday. Dr Jamir stressed the importance of adequate nutrition and medical care during this period, advocating for four antenatal check-ups, immediate breastfeeding within the first hour of birth, exclusive breastfeeding for six months, and continued breastfeeding up to two years.
Additional topics included menstrual hygiene, awareness on breast and cervical cancer, obesity, diabetes (including gestational diabetes), osteoporosis, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). She also spoke on the importance of breast self-checks, safe disposal of sanitary products, physical activity, balanced diets, and the benefits of schemes like the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS).
An interactive Q&A session followed, allowing participants to raise personal concerns. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks from Dr Medongunuo Ngone, Assistant Professor, Department of English. With 33 participants from the community, the programme reaffirmed the college’s commitment to community engagement and women’s health.