HAILAKANDI, Nov 14 - Efforts of Team Poshan from Hailakandi district of south Assam to fight anaemia among pregnant women and children through a novel initiative has borne fruit with appreciation pouring in from visitors and dignitaries flocking the Assam Pavilion at the ongoing India International Science Festival at the Science City in Kolkata.
Team Poshan has been demonstrating the beneficial effects of gooseberry-jaggery candy in checking anaemia among pregnant women and children.
The district administration spearheaded by Deputy Commissioner Keerthi Jalli has been undertaking a vigorous drive to popularise gooseberry-jaggery candy since the launching of the Rashtriya Poshan Maah in September to bring down the high incidence of anaemia 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 and helps to check anaemia.
According to the National Family Health Survey of 2015, 47.2 percent women of reproductive age in Hailakandi district were reported to be anaemic. The district has therefore around 32.5% anaemic children below 5 years of age, adolescents and women of reproductive age.
Visitors, particularly adolescent girls turned up in large numbers at the stall and evinced keen interest in knowing about the benefits of gooseberry-jaggery candy.
A documentary too was made by the district administration showcasing the slew of initiatives taken during the Poshan Maah in September.
On Wednesday, state Minister for Information Technology Keshav Mahanta visited the Assam Pavilion where Team Poshan explained the beneficial effects of gooseberry-jaggery candy in reducing anaemia in women and children.
