“Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan” launched in Mangan to boost women’s health and family well-being

Mangan, Sikkim — September 18, 2025 In a bid to strengthen women’s health services and promote family welfare in Sikkim, the state government, through the AYUSH Department in collaboration with the District Hospital in Mangan and its NCD (Non-Communicable Diseases) wing, has begun the “Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan.” The programme, which started on September 17, will run through October 2, 2025, and aims to deliver free screening and awareness among women in rural and semi-urban communities. The launch event took place at the Conference Hall of the District Hospital in Mangan, attended by local dignitaries, including Mrs. Pemkit Lepcha (President of Mangan Nagar Panchayat), Dr. Tempo T. Kaleon (Chief Medical Officer), hospital staff, AYUSH practitioners, and community health workers. The message driving the initiative is simple and powerful: healthy mothers lead to healthy children, which in turn build a strong state. Under the scheme’s umbrella, women are being offered health screening services such as haemoglobin tests, random blood sugar checks, and blood pressure monitoring. Traditional systems of medicine including Homeopathy, Ayurveda, and Sowa Rigpa have been engaged via OPD (Out-Patient Department) sessions. Additionally, free medicines and educational materials (IEC) concerning women’s health — especially focusing on uterine and ovarian cancer awareness — are distributed to all participants. On the first day alone, 124 women availed themselves of the services. They received counselling, diagnostic tests, and medicines, all free of charge. The healthcare teams also emphasized preventive health behaviour, nutrition, hygiene, and early signs of illness. The AYUSH Department officials underscored the importance of integrating non-conventional medical systems (Ayurveda, Homeopathy, and Sowa Rigpa) with conventional public health infrastructure to broaden outreach, especially in remote communities. The campaign is part of a larger effort by the Sikkim government to strengthen grassroots healthcare, reduce disease burden among women, and address the rural-urban health divide. Authorities believe that many women in areas like Mangan lack access to routine screening, or delay health checks due to distance, cost, or lack of awareness. The Abhiyan seeks to overcome these barriers by bringing diagnostics and care to them. Public awareness is also a key component: the programme includes distribution of educational materials, group counselling sessions, and community outreach efforts. Health department staff, local leaders, and NGOs have been mobilised to spread word of the campaign, and ensure that eligible women, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, are reached. Challenges are anticipated: ensuring adequate follow-up care for those who screen positive (for example, high blood sugar or low haemoglobin), ensuring consistent supply of medicines, staffing for remote OPDs, transport for participants, and dealing with cultural perceptions around women’s health. Nevertheless, participants and local officials have expressed optimism. Many women said they felt empowered by the services and knowledge offered. Overall, the “Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan” in Mangan marks a significant step in Sikkim’s public health policy — putting women’s health and early detection at the front, blending traditional medicine practices with modern diagnostics, and strengthening community involvement. If successful, the model could be rolled out to other districts, narrowing health disparities and improving quality of life in Sikkim.