Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Aug 9: The haemoglobin testing campaign conducted across schools in Dakshina Kannada (DK) district to prevent anaemia among children has revealed that 5,063 students are affected by the condition.
Over the past month, the health department carried out blood tests on 49,575 students from grades 1 to 10 studying in government and aided schools across the district. The results showed that 2,609 children have mild anaemia, 2,444 have moderate anaemia, and 10 suffer from severe anaemia.
The initiative, held under the banner Anaemia Mukt Poushtik Karnataka, was organised as part of the National Child Health Programme. Teams comprising a doctor, nurse, and eye specialist visited schools to measure haemoglobin levels in students.
Children with severe anaemia are referred to paediatric specialists at taluk or district hospitals, while those with mild and moderate anaemia are provided treatment through nearby primary health centres. According to doctors, this condition can be effectively treated with medication.
In Bantwal taluk, out of 9,482 students tested, 306 were found to have mild anaemia, 236 had moderate anaemia, and no severe cases were reported. In Beltangady, 7,204 students were tested, revealing 617 mild cases, 604 moderate cases, and 5 severe cases. Mangaluru taluk recorded the highest numbers, with 20,121 students tested, of which 978 had mild anaemia, 986 moderate, and 5 severe. In Puttur, 7,665 students were tested, with 429 mild cases, 258 moderate cases, and no severe cases. Sullia reported 279 mild and 360 moderate cases out of 5,103 students tested, with no severe cases. Overall, across the district, 49,575 students were tested, detecting 2,609 mild cases, 2,444 moderate cases, and 10 severe cases of anaemia.
What are the symptoms of anaemia?
Lack of nutritional food, especially iron deficiency, is the primary cause of anaemia, which leads to low haemoglobin levels. This affects both physical and mental development and may cause dizziness, fatigue, and weakness. Oxygen supply to the body can also be disrupted, leading to loss of appetite, reduced immunity, frequent leg pain, and swelling in the legs.