Sikkim: Four-day workshop on school health and wellness concludes in Gyalshing
Upon completion of the training, the participants will serve as Health and Wellness Ambassadors in their respective schools, conducting one-hour classroom sessions every Tuesday.
LOCAL
A four-day workshop aimed at training School Health and Wellness Ambassadors (HWA) under the Health and Wellness Programme of Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) concluded today at The Tendrel Inn, Gyalshing. The event, organized by the District Hospital Gyalshing in coordination with the Education Department, was conducted in collaboration with Sikkim Inspires.
The valedictory session was graced by the presence of Mr. Rajesh Thapa, Joint Director of the Education Department; Dr. Karma Chaden Bhutia, Additional Director-cum-State Programme Officer (SPO) for the School Health and Wellness Programme (SHWP) under RKSK; Dr. Patrika Rai, District Reproductive and Child Health Officer (DRCHO) cum District Nodal Officer (DNO) for SHWP; and Dr. Aden Bhutia, Assistant Programme Officer (APO) for Reproductive and Child Health (RCH).
The workshop featured several resource persons, including Dr. Shivani Tamang, Dental Surgeon from District Hospital Gyalshing; Ms. Matrika Thapa, Lecturer from DIET Gyalshing; Ms. Dipika Rai, Lecturer from DIET Gyalshing; and Mr. Biswa Gurung, PGT Chemistry from Pelling Senior Secondary School.
The SHWP is a flagship initiative under the Government of India’s Ayushman Bharat scheme, launched on April 14, 2018, by Hon’ble Prime Minister. The programme is a joint effort of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, aimed at ensuring the physical and mental well-being of school-going children.
As part of the workshop, teachers were trained on life skills focusing on 11 thematic areas, including growing up healthy, emotional well-being and mental health, interpersonal relationships, values and citizenship, gender equality, nutrition, health and sanitation, prevention and management of substance misuse, promotion of a healthy lifestyle, reproductive health and HIV prevention, safety and security against violence and injuries, and the promotion of safe internet and social media usage.
Upon completion of the training, the participants will serve as Health and Wellness Ambassadors in their respective schools, conducting one-hour classroom sessions every Tuesday. They will also be responsible for selecting two Health and Wellness Messengers from each school to support health-related activities. Additionally, question boxes will be installed in classrooms to allow students to anonymously submit their queries regarding health and well-being.