Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept.19: Car Nicobar’s BJR Hospital held an awareness programme bringing suicide prevention, mental health, tobacco control and access to healthcare into focus, with community representatives, health workers and the public participating in discussions on key public-health concerns.
The programme, organised at the hospital’s Conference Hall, also covered patient safety and other healthcare-related issues. The initiative brought together Headmen and Lady Representatives from various villages, members of the public, ASHAs, Anganwadi Workers and healthcare staff.
Medical Superintendent Dr. Grace addressed the gathering on suicide prevention, mental health and tobacco control, while stressing the importance of community participation in addressing these concerns.
Geeta Rani Saha, Counsellor, Tele-MANAS, and Rathindra Mallick, Psychological Counsellor under the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), conducted sessions on public-health issues covered during the programme.
Participants also took a special Suicide Prevention Pledge as part of the event. They held candles during the pledge, representing hope and solidarity and reaffirming their collective commitment to promoting mental wellbeing, supporting people in distress and working towards suicide prevention within the community.
The programme also included sessions on patient safety and healthcare access. Dr. Mohammed Shafique, Medical Officer (Homoeopathy), BJR Hospital, spoke on Patient Safety Day and the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).
Dr. Sharda Lall, District Epidemiologist, Nicobar District, conducted an awareness session on Eye Donation Day, adding another public-health theme to the programme.
The event brought multiple health concerns together under a community-awareness initiative, with speakers addressing mental health, suicide prevention, tobacco control, patient safety, healthcare access and eye donation before local representatives, frontline workers, healthcare personnel and residents.
