Anaemia control programme in Haryana schools

Chandigarh: The Haryana Health Department has planned to implement the Anaemia Control Programme in state-run schools from July, a spokesman said Wednesday.

Under the programme, students -- both girls and boys -- of class VI to XII will be given Iron Folic Acid (IFA) tablets having 100 mg iron plus 500 mg folic acid on a weekly basis, he said. "Students would take IFA tablets along with the class teachers after lunch break in the school premises", the spokesman said. Adolescent girls would also be given IFA tablets every week by anganwadi workers under the programme. He said that the scheme would be implemented in six districts of Ambala, Rohtak, Yamunanagar, Rewari, Kaithal and Hisar and will be expanded to remaining districts of the state later. A menstrual hygiene scheme aimed at increasing awareness among girls and women in relation to personal hygiene would also be implemented, he said, adding rural women would be encouraged to use sanitary napkins regularly. They will also be made to understand issues related to sexually transmitted infections, reproductive tract infections and urinary tract infections, the spokesman said. PTI