Pump up more iron in your mid-day meal scheme: NRHM

The public instructions department has finally found a solution to address the increasing number of anaemic children in primary schools. Following directions of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), officials of the mid-day meal programme are considering increasing the dosage of iron tablets provided for children at schools.

A NRHM official said: “We had directed the mid-day meal officials to take appropriate measures to overcome anaemic problems amongst students. We also suggested them to increase the dosage of the iron tablet or to increase the number of days.” This is in line with the annual health check-up camp conducted by the education department under Suvarna Arogya Chaitanya programme, in association with the health and family welfare department.

The camps conducted for students of classes I to VII in August 2010 revealed that a majority of students are anaemic. As per statistics available with the department, at least 1,34,123 students are anaemic; in 2009, it was 92,484. “We provide iron and folic acid tablets to students after they eat their mid-day meal. But we do not understand why the number of anaemic cases are increasing every year,” said an official from the education department. Schools now provide iron tablets to students thrice a week after the noon meal. But it has become difficult for teachers to administer it to students. According to doctors, iron deficiency is directly related to food habits. “Usually, children who don’t consume vegetables, greens, milk and fruits end up becoming anaemic. For such children, we advice they take iron tablets,” said Dr Chandra Mouli, paediatrician.

Dr Mouli said providing sprouts with mid-day meals is a natural remedy. However, education department officials said a final decision would be taken regarding this issue. “There are options and we need to discuss with doctors before finalising things,” officials said.