An initiative under the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) was launched in Gujarat’s Sabarkantha district to create health awareness among adolescents.
As part of the initiative, ‘Yuva Pahel’ quizzes were organised across the district, with active participation from peer educators and healthcare teams. The peer educators played a key role in spreading awareness and motivating adolescents to adopt healthier lifestyles.
Under the National Adolescent Health Programme, continuous efforts have been made to sensitise teenagers about important health-related issues and promote healthy behavioural practices.
One such quiz was held at the Ayushman Arogya Mandir in Pethapur, featuring interactive rounds on yoga, nutrition and healthy living. Participants expressed enthusiasm for the programme.
Vishwa Parmar, one of the participants, said the quiz helped boost his confidence and improved his understanding of health-related topics. “I am very happy to have participated in this programme. It has helped boost my self-confidence,” he said.
Through this initiative, peer educators are trained to share essential information with their peers on nutrition, mental health, sexual and reproductive health, de-addiction, and the importance of a healthy lifestyle. The approach aims to create widespread awareness and encourage responsible health choices among adolescents.
Juhi Sharma, Community Health Officer, District Panchayat, Sabarkantha, said the Yuva Pahel quizzes were conducted at Ayushman Health Centres, sub-centres and at the district level. She added that the programme was implemented across 751 villages in the district to ensure maximum outreach.
Mehul Pandya, District Programme Coordinator, District Panchayat, Sabarkantha, said the initiative focuses on strengthening the overall health and development of adolescents aged 10 to 19 years.
He noted that the programme addresses nutrition improvement, prevention of anaemia and malnutrition, mental health support, substance abuse prevention, protection from violence and accidents, and the promotion of positive behavioural and lifestyle changes.
According to officials, the National Adolescent Health Programme has shown positive results in promoting healthy and responsible behaviour among young people.
The Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram was launched on January 7, 2014. The programme is guided by principles such as adolescent participation and leadership, equity and inclusion, gender equity, and strategic partnerships across sectors. It aims to enable adolescents to make informed decisions about their health by ensuring access to information, services and support through Adolescent Friendly Health Clinics and community-level interventions.
— IANS
