To tackle anaemia among children, the State government has decided to distribute iron and folic acid supplements to students in government schools. The announcement was made by Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T. Khader here on Friday during the World Blood Donor Day celebrations.
Expressing concern about growing anaemia among children in the State, the Minister said that there was a need to tackle anaemia among the younger age groups. “The earlier we address such concerns, the easier it is to solve them,” he said.
As per the National Family Health Survey 3 (2005-2006), 82.7 per cent of children in the 6-35 month age group are anaemic. The survey states that 50.3 per cent of the married women up to age 49 are anaemic.
Mr. Khader said that the Health Department was working to eradicate anaemia in the State. “Providing iron supplements in schools would help us reach out to a large number of children in schools. We will provide children the tablets once a week and conduct a regular assessment,” he said.
However, the Minister said that the plans were yet to be drawn. “We have not finalised the age group for which we will provide the tablets. The scheme will be implemented shortly.”
Earlier, during the inauguration of the blood donation camp, the Minister said that there was a need to raise awareness about voluntary blood donation and urged youngsters to donate blood. In 2012-2013, the State government targeted 6.25 lakh blood units. The State surpassed the target by collecting 6.51 lakh units.
To mark blood donation day, the Department of Health and Family Welfare said that a mobile bus would be sent to various districts in North Karnataka for voluntary blood donation.
