MP to launch 'Lalima Abhiyan' to make state free from anaemia

Bhopal, Oct 10 With an aim to make Madhya Pradesh anaemia-free, the state government has decided to launch 'Lalima Abhiyan' on November 1.

Minister for Women and Child Development Archana Chitnis stated that Lalima Abhiyan will be launched on November 1 in the state, an official of the Public Relation Department said today.

Under the campaign, free iron folic acid tablets will be provided in aaganwadis', academic institutions and hospitals. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has urged Health Minister Jagat Prasad Nadda through a letter to distribute ferrous escorbate tablets in place of ferrous sulphate tablets, he said.

The Center has assured full cooperation to the state government in the matter. Chitnis said anaemia is a common health problem in women, teenage girls and children. If a pregnant woman suffers from anaemia, the child born will be weak and of low weight.

As per the figures of National Family Health Survey-4, 52.5 per cent women in the age group of 15 to 49 years and 25.5 percent men are suffering from anaemia. The minister added the absorption of iron elements in human body takes place due to availability of Vitamin C.

Hence, constant availability of iron folic acid tablets will be publicised during the campaign, she added. Beside Women and Child Development Department, Public Health Engineering, Ayush and School Education Department will be taken on board for organising Lalima Abhiyan. Natural, modern and traditional measures will be publicised for the campaign.

Minister of State for Women and Child Development Lalita Yadav has appealed to public representatives, non-governmental organisations and government officers and employees to cooperate for the success of the campaign, he added.

PTI