Pics: Brijesh Garodi
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore

Mangalore, Jul 17: To tackle the high prevalence of adolescent anemia, the union government has launched a weekly iron and folic acid supplementation programme across the country.

The programme was launched in Dakshina Kannada district at DK zilla panchayat school in Attavar on Wednesday July 17.

The initiative was launched by district commissioner N Prakash along with Asha Thimmappa Gowda from zilla panchayat, corporator Abdul Rauf and other guests with the lighting of the lamp.

To mark the formal launch, DC N Prakash distributed the vitamin tablets to five students.

Speaking after inauguration, DC N Prakash said the programme is aimed at addressing the issue of anaemia, one of the most widespread nutritional disorders in the country. The health and education department in the district have taken in-charge of this programme and the officials should see to that they work sincerely towards the success of this.

Briefing about the Anaemia eradication drive , district reproductive child health officer Dr Rukmini said students from government and aided schools in Dakshina Kannada will be provided with weekly iron and folic acid supplementation every week, altogether 52 tablets a year.

The supplementation will be given to students between 10 to 19 years of age and for those children who are not going to school, it will be distributed through Anganwadi workers.

Along with this supplementation, deforming for school children will also be done with Albendazole twice a year, that is in the month of August and February said Dr Rukmini adding that it is a good move for student’s future.