Govt launches cheap ‘Suvidha’ sanitary napkins

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers and Parliamentary Affairs Ananthkumar on March 8, 2018, announced the launch of ‘Suvidha’, the 100% Oxo-biodegradable Sanitary Napkin under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) here.

The affordable sanitary napkin will be available for Rs 2.50 per pad at over 3,200 Janaushadhi Kendras across India and would ensure ‘Swachhta, Swasthya and Suvidha’ for the underprivileged Women of India. This step, taken by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, will ensure the achievement of Prime Minster Narendra Modi’s vision of Affordable and Quality Healthcare for All, the Minister said while addressing the media.

Ananthkumar said that this is a special gift for all Women on the occasion of International Woman’s day, as this unique product would ensure Affordability, Hygiene as well as Ease of use and disposal for them. SUVIDHA napkins would be physically available at all Janaushadhi Kendras in the country by May 28, 2018 – World Menstrual Hygiene Day, the Minister informed, according to a PIB release.

According to the National Family Health Survey 2015-16, about 58 % of women aged between 15 to 24 years use locally prepared napkins, sanitary napkins and tampons. About 78 % women in urban areas use hygienic methods of protection during menstrual period but only 48 % women in rural areas have access to clean sanitary napkins.

Ananthkumar said that this is one of the most important requirement in ensuring the Health Security to that section of Women in India who still use unhygienic aids during menstrual period due to non-affordability of some of the popular brands of sanitary napkins available in the market today. Such unhygienic aids cause fungal infections, Reproductive Tract Infection, Urinary Tract Infection, Cervical cancer and also make women vulnerable to infertility. Moreover, the disposal of non-biodegradable sanitary napkins available today creates a huge environmental problem. The 100% biodegradable SUVIDHA napkin would ensure Swachhta, he added.

Addressing the media on the occasion, Minister of State for Chemicals & Fertilizers, Road Transport & Highways, Shipping, Mansukh Lal Mandaviya explained the term ‘Oxo-biodegradable’ to the media. The Minister said that a special additive is added in the SUVIDHA napkin which makes it biodegradable when it reacts with oxygen after it is used and discarded. Mandaviya said that the average price of sanitary napkins available in the market today is around Rs 8 per pad. The launch of the SUVIDHA napkins at Rs 2.50 per pad will go a long way in making the basic hygiene requirement aid for Women affordable for the underprivileged sections, he said.