Chennai: Beginning from 2012, sanitary napkins for free of cost have been distributed to 2.30 crore girls who hit puberty in villages, five lakh pregnant women, 4,119 women prisoners and 2,405 mentally-ill women, said Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr C Vijayabaskar. He was speaking at an awareness programme organised on the account of Menstrual Hygiene Day (28 April) at Tamilnadu Super Multi-Specialty Hospital, Omandurar, Tuesday.
Later addressing mediapersons, he said, “Menstrual hygiene programme was initiated by former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa for the welfare of women-at-large. Sanitary napkins are being distributed for girl students at schools, anganwaadis and for new mothers who deliver in government hospital by the staff. Each year, 18 packs of sanitary napkins are distributed.”
Minister for Social Welfare, Dr V Saroja and Health Secretary Beela Rajes also participated, a press release said.