Mumbai: Wadia Hospital Organises Free Health Screening Camp For Girls

To address the puberty issues of girls in the age group 6-9 years, Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital For Children has come forward by taking a great initiative.

The hospital, which is located in Mumbai's Parel area, is conducting free health screening camps every Sunday (on July 24, and August 7, 2022) at the OPD complex between 9 am to 1pm.

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has created a lot of havoc related to the health of adults as well as children. Obesity cases are rising at an alarming rate in boys and girls, and many girl children also show early signs of puberty. “Puberty means bone and muscle growth, changes in body shape and size, and development of the body's ability to reproduce.  Precocious puberty (early puberty) happens when the child’s body goes through the change into an adult body too soon. A family history of any disease or central nervous system problems can lead to early puberty. The symptoms noticed in girls are menstruation, ovulation, breast growth, and pubic and underarm hair. Early puberty may make a child feel self-conscious and embarrassed, leading to low self-esteem, and depression. It will have implications on long-term reproductive health-related issues. This camp is organized to look at the community-based increase in the incidence of early puberty in girls in the vulnerable age of between 6-9 years. We shall be screening girl children for such changes and providing them with concise care in the form of testing and treatment. Moreover, the treatment will depend on the type of precocious puberty and the cause," said Dr Sudha Rao, Head of paediatric medicine department, Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital.

The average age of menses is 12 years old. But, many girls hit puberty sooner. Early puberty in girls can be caused by a number of diseases along with inappropriate diet and activities. Our endeavor can help the parents and girls to understand their bodies in a better way. We aim to come up with more such initiatives for the welfare of children. Parents should make sure that their girls are following a well-balanced diet, avoiding processed foods, and exercising daily. Helping girls navigate these social and emotional hurdles can be a herculean task, since puberty spans several years. But girls should reach out, start asking questions and parents should help them feel safe and confident,” concluded Dr Minnie Bodhanwala, CEO Of Wadia Hospital.