Exposure Visit of Adolescent Leaders to District Combined Hospital
Introduction
On August 23, 2025, Swabhiman Samiti organized an exposure visit for 20 adolescent girls under the Adolescent Empowerment Project at the District Combined Hospital, Siddharthnagar. The purpose of this visit was to enhance the participants’ understanding of health-related services available for adolescents and women, thereby promoting health awareness, confidence, and leadership among rural girls.
Objective of the Visit
The exposure visit aimed to:
- Familiarize adolescent leaders with the public healthcare system and the range of services available for young girls and women.
- Increase awareness about sexual and reproductive health (SRH), mental health, and maternal well-being.
- Encourage girls to act as peer educators in their respective communities by spreading health-related information.
Activities and Learning Experience
The group of 20 adolescent girls from different villages of the Uska Bazar block actively participated in the hospital tour. The visit was guided by Hospital Administrator, Dr. Richa Rao, who personally led the participants through various hospital departments and provided in-depth information about each unit’s functions and facilities.
During the visit, the participants learned about:
- Sexual and Reproductive Health Services (SRH)
- Gynecology and Obstetrics Department
- Diagnostic and Laboratory Facilities
- Ayushman Bharat Health Insurance Scheme
- Outpatient Department (OPD) and ARV services
- Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Units
- One Stop Crisis Center (for women in distress)
- ICPC and Medicine Distribution Unit
- Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) and Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) Ward
- Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Unit
- De-addiction Center
Dr. Rao explained the significance of each service, especially those dedicated to women’s health, adolescent care, and mental wellness. The participants interacted with medical professionals and staff members, gaining firsthand exposure to how healthcare systems operate and how individuals can access free or subsidized services.
Participation and Coordination
The exposure visit was jointly coordinated by Mamta Verma (Project Manager), along with Sambhavati, Priyanka Chaudhary, Zarina, Vinod Prajapati, and Deepak Arya, who supported the girls throughout the session. Their guidance helped the participants engage meaningfully and ask relevant questions during the hospital tour.
Conclusion
The exposure visit proved to be a valuable learning experience for the adolescent leaders. It broadened their understanding of public health systems, enhanced their awareness about sexual and reproductive health, and motivated them to share this knowledge within their communities.
By connecting adolescent girls directly with healthcare professionals and facilities, Swabhiman Samiti successfully bridged the gap between awareness and accessibility. This initiative under the Adolescent Empowerment Project reflects the organization’s continued commitment to promoting health literacy, leadership, and empowerment among rural adolescent girls in Siddharthnagar.
