Instead of consuming the nutritious leafy greens that are freely available at home, we pay for fast food and cultivate diseases. Exhibitions and awareness programs like this, which help our society understand the importance of nutrition, are most welcome in bringing about this change, said the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan.
In support of the Ministry of Health’s ‘National Nutrition Month’ and the ‘ENOUGH’ campaign, a nutrition exhibition and awareness program organized jointly by Mothers’ Clubs, with the support of the Chankanai Medical Officer of Health Office, the Vaddukkottai District Hospital community, and World Vision, was successfully held today – on Wednesday morning, 05 August 2026, at the Vaddukkottai District Hospital premises. The Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan, attended the event as the Chief Guest.
Addressing the gathering, the Hon. Governor further stated:
During the war period, due to displacement and various other issues, many people suffered from malnutrition. Even though many years have passed since the end of the war, we must address the fact that some people still continue to suffer from such deficiencies. Children born with malnutrition are likely to continue lagging behind in education and other fields.
Today, young children should avoid seeking out fast food for which they pay and instead include the nutritious leafy greens and vegetables that are freely available in our homes and gardens in their diets. At a time when the government allocates substantial funds for school midday meals, only by systematically providing schoolchildren with nutritious food can we ensure that they grow into healthy individuals.
I commend Dr. Nandakumar, the Medical Officer of Health of Chankanai, and his staff for organizing this exhibition, as well as the World Vision team, which has been working effectively in this area. We must all work together to build a healthier future by consuming traditional foods, he said.
Under the guidance of Public Health Midwives, the 35 Mothers’ Clubs of Chankanai displayed a variety of foods, including palmyrah-based foods, seafood, millets, leafy vegetables, milk and egg-based foods. A model school canteen was also displayed as a special feature. In addition, demonstrations were given on achieving economic self-sufficiency through livestock farming such as raising chickens, goats, ducks, and quails, as well as on chemical fertilizer-free home gardening methods for healthy living.
During the event, two important petitions were handed over to the Hon. Governor. One requested the full implementation of a province-wide school canteen policy in the Northern Province to ensure healthy food for students. The other requested the upgrading of the Chankanai District Hospital and the filling of its staff shortages.
More than a thousand students and mothers benefited by attending the exhibition. Certificates were presented by the Governor and other guests to 400 mothers who successfully completed the Child Rearing Skills Training Examination. In addition, a Compact Disc on early childhood care was launched and officially released by the Governor.
Among those who attended the event were Dr. A. Ketheeswaran, Regional Director of Health Services, Jaffna; Mrs. U. Kavitha, Divisional Secretary of Chankanai; Hon. S. Jayanthan, Chairman of the Valikamam West Pradeshiya Sabha; A. Jude Nishanthan, World Vision Northern and North Western Zonal Manager; A. Anton Roy, Jaffna Project Manager; the Medical Officer in Charge of the hospital; Supervising Public Health Officers; and many others.
