PCOS Awareness Drive Concludes at SKIMS Under ‘Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan’

A major awareness drive on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) concluded today at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), as part of the nationwide “Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan,” in collaboration with the M.P. PCOS Society of India. The initiative aimed to educate women and young girls across Jammu and Kashmir about PCOS, its symptoms, early detection, and preventive healthcare.

Addressing the gathering, Director SKIMS and EOSG, Prof. M. Ashraf Ganie, stressed the urgent need to prioritize women's health. He pointed out that India has over 44.4 million women suffering from PCOS, making it one of the most affected countries globally—second only to China and the United States.

“India is becoming the PCOS capital of the world. It’s time we treat it as a major public health issue,” Prof. Ganie stated, adding that SKIMS has played a key role in India’s largest PCOS study through its dedicated “Coordinator Centre for PCOS.”

Highlighting the diverse and often misunderstood nature of PCOS, Prof. Ganie explained that the condition affects women across all age groups—from adolescence to older adulthood—necessitating early diagnosis and sustained intervention. “There are still many myths surrounding PCOS. Our focus must be on awareness, prevention, and lifestyle changes,” he said.

Encouraging young girls in the audience to become “brand ambassadors of change,” Prof. Ganie emphasized the importance of women taking charge of their own health. “Women are the custodians of future generations. Their health today will shape the health of our tomorrow,” he said.

He also thanked the media for its role in amplifying the campaign’s message and reaffirmed SKIMS’s commitment to continue organizing awareness programs, screenings, and expert lectures in collaboration with educational institutions. “Any institution can approach our dedicated PCOS Clinic at SKIMS, which offers comprehensive care and management services,” he added.

As part of the campaign, a series of outreach programs and health camps were conducted across multiple districts. Educational institutions such as Degree College Bandipora, Government Degree College for Women Anantnag, Government Degree College for Women Pulwama, and Government Degree College Baramulla hosted interactive sessions with healthcare professionals focusing on early detection, lifestyle interventions, and myth-busting around PCOS.

The campaign concluded with a strong message of empowerment, urging women and girls to take proactive steps in managing their health and well-being—one of the core missions of the “Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan.”