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District officials and participants at the anaemia screening camp that was conducted on September 14, at Wokha village in Wokha district.[/caption]
Dimapur, Sep. 16 (EMN): As part of the nutrition programme Rashtryia Poshan Maah 2019, an anaemia screening camp was conducted on September 14, at Wokha village in Wokha district.
The programme was organized by the department of Social Welfare- ICDS, and the Medical and Rural Development departments, and community leaders, among others, updates stated.
The government publicity agency the department of Information and Public Relations (IPR) issued updates to the media on Monday informing about the programme.
The deputy chief medical officer of Wokha, Dr. Zuben Kikon talked to the gathering about the importance of awareness about anaemia. He said anaemia is a condition in which the blood does not have enough healthy red blood cells in the body, leading to reduced supply of oxygen to the organs. This happens due to lack of vitamins and iron.
He advised the people to consume plenty of iron rich foods such as green leafy vegetables, lemon, Amla, guava, and iron-fortified cereals, the IPR stated.
Kikon said one can help prevent iron-deficiency by eating a well-balanced diet including good sources of iron, vitamin b12 and folate. Stating that anaemia leads to premature birth and low birth weight for babies and even maternal mortality, he urged the people to take food supplements ‘for precaution,’ the IPR stated.
The senior supervisor of the ICDS of Wokha, Erenbeni Kikon said that the entire month of September will be observed as Rashtryia Poshan Maah or National nutrition mission.
She said the Poshan Abhiyaan intends to increase awareness among mothers of young children, adolescents, and community members, health care providers, adolescent girls of the age group 0-6 years, and lactating mothers to achieve specific targets for reduction in low birth weight babies and prevent anaemia in the next three years.
Kikon also emphasised on personnel cleanliness and hygiene ‘for a healthy environment,’ She advised ensuring safe drinking water and cultivating the habit of washing hands before eating and after defecation, the IPR stated. She advised that every child should be provided with full immunisation from the Universal Immunization Programme; infants be given complimentary food on completion of six months with breastfeeding to continue till two years and beyond, and regular monitoring of the growth of infants and children, the IPR stated.