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, Bridge Project—Connecting Academic Institutions with Local Communities. The event was designed to sensitise and educate women from the local community on various aspects of health and wellness, with special emphasis on self-care and preventive healthcare.
The programme was chaired by Dr. Limayangla Pongener, Assistant Professor, Department of English, who also delivered the welcome address. She highlighted the importance of prioritising women’s and mothers’ health, which often takes a back seat in traditional family structures & set the tone for the central talk delivered by the resource person, Dr. M. Nukshisangla Jamir, MD (Community Medicine), Joint Director, Nagaland State AIDS Control Society.
Dr. Jamir conducted an extensive and engaging session, addressing a wide range of health concerns faced by women across all life stages. She highlighted how women frequently neglect their own health needs in favour of their families, leading to a host of preventable conditions such as malnutrition, autoimmune diseases, depression, sleep disorders, and post-menopausal complications.
A key focus was on the “1000 Days Concept,” which underscores the critical window between conception and a child’s second birthday. Dr. Jamir emphasised that adequate nutrition and medical care during this period are vital for a child’s cognitive and physical development. She advocated for at least four antenatal check-ups, immediate breastfeeding within the first hour of birth, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, and continued breastfeeding up to two years.
Other major issues addressed included menstrual hygiene, breast and cervical cancer awareness, obesity, diabetes (including gestational diabetes), osteoporosis, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Dr. Jamir also discussed the importance of regular self-checks for breast cancer, proper disposal of sanitary products, the role of a balanced diet and physical activity, and state-level healthcare services available to women, such as the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS).
The session concluded with an interactive Q&A session with community members, allowing participants to clarify doubts and share personal concerns. The event wrapped up with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Medongunuo Ngone, Assistant Professor, Department of English, Kohima College.
With 33 enthusiastic participants from the local community, the programme was a resounding success and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to community engagement & women’s well being.
