To tackle anaemia in pregnant women and children, Haryana Government has decided to launch a pilot project to fortify wheat flour with vitamins and other nutrients instead of providing iron tablets.
An official spokesman said this pilot project would initially be launched in Naraingarh and Barara Development Blocks in district Ambala. This project would be directly monitored by Chief Minister’s Office.
In the first phase, a survey would be conducted by Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, Haryana Health Department and Coordinator, Food Fortification Initiative to ascertain the causes of anaemia. The samples would be taken from pregnant women and children and these would be tested for deficiency of nutrients, which leads to anaemia.
Instead of providing iron tablets, wheat flour would be fortified with these nutrients, including iron, folic acid and Vitamin B12.
Initially the project would be taken up for Mid-day meal and at the level of Anganwadi Centres by giving supplementary nutrients to women and children.