LAHORE – The University of Health Sciences (UHS) has launched an online portal titled “Pyari Beti” and helpline to provide adolescent girls with authentic guidance on puberty and reproductive health.
The initiative aims to address physical, emotional, and psychological challenges faced by young girls during adolescence. The “Pyari Beti” portal is accessible on the UHS website, while a dedicated helpline (99232088) will allow girls to consult health experts twice a week.
The official inauguration was conducted by UHS Vice Chancellor Prof. Ahsan Waheed Rathore during a seminar organized by the Department of Public Health on Friday. The seminar, themed “Living with Confidence: A Girl’s Guide,” was attended by over 100 orphan girls aged 9 to 15 from institutions such as Dar-ul-Shafqat, Kashana, and SOS Villages in Lahore.
Punjab Assembly member and Parliamentary Secretary for Specialized Healthcare Ms. Rushda Lodhi attended the event as the chief guest. Speaking at the seminar, Prof. Rathore emphasized the importance of this initiative in raising awareness about physical challenges during puberty.
He stated, “This effort will empower girls to live with confidence and dignity. As parents and as a society, we have fallen short of fulfilling our responsibilities, but it is time to bridge that gap. If any girl faces difficulties, she should feel free to consult her elders or our experts”. He added that it is essential to normalize discussions about what is natural. “These girls are the future of our society, and their guidance is our foremost responsibility”, he emphasized.
UHS Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof. Nadia Naseem hailed the “Pyari Beti” portal as a significant milestone for guiding young girls. “We are committed to providing girls with essential information and support regarding their health and lives. This portal will help dispel myths related to health and adolescence,” she remarked. She added that the portal offers easy-to-understand and reliable information from health experts.
Prof. Alia Bashir elaborated on the physical and psychological changes girls experience during puberty. She stressed that this is a vulnerable age when girls are often misled by inaccurate information, and UHS’s initiative will play a crucial role in boosting their confidence and understanding.
