Addressing a conference on ‘Women health ’ organized by Mahila Arogya Vikas of Vikasa Tarangini, a women’s health mission launched by Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji, Mr. Harichandan said women’s health contributed to the well-being of the society and the economic growth of a country.

Governor Biswa Bhusan Harichandan on Friday said women’s health was intrinsically linked to their status in society and poor health conditions affects not only women but their families also.

He said providing women access to health services was as important as to celebrate Mother’s Day or Women’s Day. He complimented the Mahila Arogya Vikas for organizing community programs like health screening camps that could supplement the direct medical intervention programs being implemented by the government.

Reminding that the Right to Health was a fundamental right of every citizen, he said the poor health indices of half the population was a major cause for concern.

He wanted the awareness programs on cancer among women to be scaled up and steps to encourage women to undergo regular health check-ups and motivate them to inculcate a healthy lifestyle.

He appreciated the role of the Mahila Arogya Vikas in organizing over 1,000 cancer awareness camps, covering 10 lakh women through 2.5 lakh screening tests for cervical and breast cancer besides conducting ultra scan, mammography, biopsies and surgeries, all of this at free of cost. He also complimented the central coordinator of the organization Madhavi Ravindra.

Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji, former Minister Kamineni Srinivas, former MP Gokaraju Gangaraju, management consultant M.C. Das and others were present.