Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Ananthkumar announced the launch of ‘Suvidha’, the 100% Oxo-biodegradable Sanitary Napkin, under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), here today. The affordable sanitary napkin will be available for Rs. 2.50 per pad at over 3200 Janaushadhi Kendrasacross 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 Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of affordable and quality healthcare for all, the Minister said while addressing the media.
SUVIDHA napkins would be available at all Janaushadhi Kendras in the country by May 28, 2018 – World Menstrual Hygiene Day, the Minister informed.
According to the National Family Health Survey 2015-16, about 58 percent of women aged between 15 to 24 years use locally prepared napkins, sanitary napkins and tampons. Further, about 78 percent women in urban areas use hygienic methods of protection during menstrual period; only 48 percent women in rural areas have access to clean sanitary napkins.
Shri 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 menstrualperiod due to non-affordability of some of the popular brands of sanitary napkins available in the markettoday. Such unhygienic aids cause fungal infections, Reproductive Tract Infection, Urinary TractInfection, 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, the Minister added.
A special additive is added in the SUVIDHA napkin which makes it biodegradable when it reacts with oxygen after it is used and discarded.
