The Hindustan Scouts and Guides organised a discussion on hygiene among girls in schools and colleges at M.R. Hospital, Thanjavur on Wednesday.

In his address, K. Raamamoorthy, State chief commissioner, Hindustan Scouts and Guides, invited suggestions from the members to improve and maintaining hygienic practices and contribute to Swachh Bharat –Swasta Bharat.

Senior surgeon Dr. V. Varadarajan highlighted the lack of awareness among women in taking care of their health during their menstrual cycle. Dr. Radhika Michael, managing director, M.R. Hospital, explained about the various diseases caused due to unhealthy practices during the cycle, particularly among adolescent girls.

Representatives from 15 Schools and 10 Colleges attended the discussion.

During the discussion, the panelists decided to form a core committee involving various social organisations to carryout effective and continuous health programmes for adolescent girls in Thanjavur district.

Different teams comprising doctors, counsellors and social workers will be formed to sensitise girl students and their mothers, teachers and support staff on healthy menstrual hygiene practices and safe disposal of sanitary napkins, apart from general health care and sanitation facilities in schools and colleges.

It was also decided to stress upon the school and college managements to install automated sanitary napkin vending machines to provide quality napkins and napkin incinerators to dispose of the used pads.

Usha Nandhini Viswanathan, district chairperson, Inner wheel Club and S. Muthukumar, State secretary, Hindustan Scouts and Guides and several others were present.