PADMAN EFFECT: SANITARY GEAR FOR 5 HOSPITALS

The release of Padman may have got postponed, but it surely has inspired Mumbai’s maternity hospitals. But better late than never! Five maternity hospitals will soon get first of its kind sanitary pad vending machines for better health and hygiene of the patients. A senior health official said on pilot basis these machines will be installed on hospital premises for which a tender has been passed.

These five hospitals are the Malad Mother and Child hospital, Oshiwara, Bhandup and Marol maternity hospitals and the Anandibai Joshi hospital; they will get these vending machines in February.

A senior health official said one vending machine will be installed in each hospital and each pad will cost Rs 5. “The user needs to insert Rs5 in the vending machines. With the insertion of the coin, one pad would come out,” said an official.

He further added funds for the machines have been released on a local-level quotation. “Other hospitals have also sent their files to the central purchase department of the civic department for installing sanitary vending machines,” said a health official.

“The installation would be completed by the end of February. It is starting on a pilot basis and if it becomes successful, the scheme would be initiated in other maternity and tertiary-level hospitals,” said Dr Padmaja Keskar, Executive Health Official.

The latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 201516 report shows that the use of Sanitary Napkins among Indian women is 48.5 per cent in rural and 77.5 per cent in urban areas.

According to doctors, if hygiene is not maintained during periods it can lead to several health complications. Poor menstrual hygiene can lead to fungal infections, urinary tract infection and can also cause cervical cancer. “Usage of a sanitary pad can help a woman shield themselves from these health complications. Usage of unhygienic home-made cloths can also lead to reproductive tract infection and infertility,” said Dr Ganesh Shinde, Dean,