Ampati, Mar 22: As part of Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) program under National Health Mission (NHM), the Adolescent Friendly Health Resource Centre (AFHRC) was inaugurated at Chengkompara Multi Facility Centre, Ampati on Tuesday.

A film on teenage pregnancy and mental health, “Amarin”, directed by Bilman Ch. Marak and Jaksram K Marak as  cinematographer was also released and screened on the occasion. This film will also be available on YouTube channel NHM Ampati, (link https://youtube.com/channel/UC6ldd7hXRGlk8YTyC4c22Mg), which was launched during the inaugural program. As per District Medical and Health Office, a total of 436 cases of teenage pregnancy was recorded in South West Garo Hills district on March 2021 to February 2022.

Inaugurating the AFHRC, South West Garo Hills’ Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), AVD Shira, stressed on the essence of Nokpante in traditional Garo villages, and compared the newly inaugurated AFHRC to Nokpante, which served as a training centre for young boys to shape them into fine skillful adults of great character.She also encouraged the parents and also the young audiences to visit the centre, should they require any mental or medical counselling.

Joint Director cum State Nodal Officer of RKSK and RBSK, Dr. Kona Sangma, who attended the program as Guest of Honour, said that she have witnessed the development of medical centres in the district while she was posted in the district for a duration of 8 years and encouraged the parents and young audiences to fully utilise the available resource centre.Dr. Mikrak Sangma, District Nodal Officer of RKSK, while delivering keynote address made a presentation showcasing some of the actions taken in the district. He announced that during the period of 2019 to 2020, counselling was provided to 2841 clients and during 2021 to 2022, counselling was provided to 2081 clients in Civil Hospital, Ampati. He mentioned that  these numbers did not include  the data of other PHCs and CHCs within the district.Later, distribution of non-monetary gifts consisting of sports and music equipments were distributed to peer educators of Zikzak and Betasing PHCs.