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Anaemia

26 pc anganwari kids anaemic- Survey (The Tribune-10 August 2010)

Government puts remedial measures in place

One-fourth of the total number of children enrolled with Haryana’s anganwaris are anaemic. This
startling revelation has come to light during a survey of anganwaris conducted under Indira Bal
Swasthya Yojna (IBSY).

Of the 16,000 anganwaris covered under Phase II of the scheme so far, the survey has found that
2.19 lakh of the 9.15 lakh children are anaemic, implying that 26 per cent of the total children
examined are suffering from iron deficiency.

While the survey has found 4,700 cases of severe anaemia, there are 86,000 cases of moderate
anaemia and 1.26 lakh children ( up to five years) suffer from mild anaemia.

The Mission Director, National Rural Health Mission, PK Das, says the challenge before the
departments of health, education and women and child development, collaborating on this
project, is to ensure that the mild and moderate cases do not turn into severely anaemic cases.
“From what we have understood, anaemia is more prevalant because of poor sanitation and
unhygienic food rather than its non-availability. At a meeting last week ,where the data of the
survey was studied, the mission decided to launch a multi-pronged offensive by not distributing
iron and folic acid tablets and initiating a mass awareness campaign with the help of several
departments,” he explains.

While anaemia is the major malady afflicting children, the survey has also brought other
ailments to the fore. As many as 31,000 children have been found to be suffering from
malnutrition, the number of dental ailments is comparatively higher at 51,000. Cases of disability
and tuberculosis have also been found.

Das explains that while doctors are still examining children anaganwaris across the state,
remedial action has already begun. “Children who needed to be referred to tertiary hospitals have
been sent there and treatment of those suffering from other ailments is underway at local
hospitals. We are hopeful of completing Phase II shortly,” he said. In Phase I of the survey of
children in government schools in the 6 to 11 years category, the number of anaemic children
was found to be much lower compared to its prevalence in the 0 to 5 years age group. Of 14 lakh
students examined, 62,000 children were found to be suffering from anaemia though cases of
other ailments was much higher.
The mission is now gearing up for implementation of Phase III of the scheme which will cover
children in the 12 - 18 years age group in government as well as private schools. The strategy is
likely to be finalised by the end of this month.

Under this programme, the children are screened for medical ailments by schoolteachers,
checked by ANMs before being examined by doctors who prescribe treatment and the follow-up
action. The aim is to identify ailments afflicting children and treat them at the initial stage.