A group of 50 experts including nutritionists, Government officials and media met on Tuesday to discuss the importance of the Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) programme which is currently reaching out to over 16 lakh school-going girls and boys (Class VI – XII) and more than 30,000 out-of-school adolescent girls in Haryana. Iron deficiency is the major cause of anemia that leads to reduced levels of haemoglobin (Hb) in the blood.
Adolescents (age 10-19 years), especially girls, are at high risk of iron deficiency and anaemia due to accelerated increase in requirements for iron, poor dietary intake of iron, malaria and worm infestation. Public health experts also attribute social and cultural factors such as early marriage, adolescent pregnancy and repeated pregnancies that make girls more vulnerable to iron deficiency and anaemia.
An estimated 58 per cent girls and 26 per cent boys in the age group 10-19 years in Haryana are anaemic according to the third National Family Health Survey.
Considering the alarming situation, the Haryana Government is implementing the Weekly Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) Supplementation (WIFS) programme since May 2013, under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) in government schools (statewide) and Anganwadi Centres (AWC) in six districts - Ambala, Yamuna Nagar, Rohtak, Riwari, Hissar
and Kaithal.
“The WIFS programme targets both rural and urban areas. The programme provides an important and strategic focus on reducing adolescent anemia by not only improving physical capacity and increasing cognitive ability but also promotes improved pregnancy outcomes among girls and larger inter-generational benefits. The programme truly accentuates the spirit of ‘Solid Bano India’ campaign,” said Principal Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Navraj Sandhu, during the media consultation organised by the Government of Haryana in collaboration with UNICEF.
Mission Director, NRHM, Dr. Rakesh Gupta, mentioned that “Adolescence is an opportune time for interventions to address anaemia. Not only is there a need but they are also open to new information and practices as adolescents are often striving for physical and academic excellence. Along with the positive effects of the WIFS programme, efforts are made to build awareness of side effects and there is evidence that motivated and well-informed adolescents tolerate few temporary side effects of IFA tablets without reducing compliance.”
Nutritionists also discussed several home-based and easily-available solutions to keep anaemia away. These included easily available food such as spinach (palak, methi), dates (khajur), meat, fish, eggs and vitamin C rich foods (citrus fruits like Amla, Guava, lemon) to enhance the absorption of Iron.