Team Poshan’s novel initiative to fight anaemia draws appreciation

A Correspondent

Hailakandi: Efforts of Team Poshan from south Assam’s Hailakandi district to fight anaemia among pregnant women and children through a novel initiative has borne fruit with appreciation pouring in from visitors and dignitaries flocking to the Assam Pavilion at the ongoing India International Science Festival at the Science City in Kolkata.

Team Poshan is demonstrating the beneficial effects of gooseberry-jaggery candy in checking anaemia among pregnant women and children. The district administration spearheaded by Keerthi Jalli has been making a vigorous drive to popularise gooseberry-jaggery candy since day one of the launching of the Rashtriya Poshan Maah in September to bring down the high incidence of anemia among pregnant women and children in the district. Maa-Beti Melas were held in different parts of the district to create awareness on the health benefits of amla (gooseberry) which is locally available in checking anemia.

According to the 2015 National Family Health Survey, 47.2% of the women of reproductive age in Hailakandi were anaemic. The district has, thus, the most around 32.5% anaemic children below 5 years, adolescents and women of reproductive age in Assam.

Visitors particularly adolescent girls are turning up in large numbers to the stall and have evinced keen interest in knowing about the benefits of the gooseberry-jaggery candy. A documentary has been made by the administration showcasing the slew of initiatives taken during the Poshan Maah in September.

On Wednesday, Minister for Information Technology, Keshav Mahanta visited the Assam Pavilion where Team Poshan explained the beneficial effects of gooseberry-jaggery candy in reducing anemia in women and children. Mahanta appreciated the efforts of the district administration to fight anemia through gooseberry-jaggery candy drive. Deputy Commissioner Jalli gave the credit to entire Team Poshan, supervisors, anganwadi workers and helpers who took the novel initiative to newer heights.

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