Centre pat for state health drive

A major initiative of the state government in which 25 lakh tribal children in 15 districts have been covered in a de-worming programme, has earned it appreciation from the Union Government. In the state where over 50 per cent of the tribal children suffer from worms and malnutrition, iron and vitamin deficiency would be taken seriously in this drive launched on January 31.

“Anaemia is as high as 70 to 80 per cent among pregnant Indian women,” said Health Secretary, Vijay Satbir Singh.

The state government hit upon the idea of distributing de-worming tablets- among other nutritional supplements, as ingestion of de-worming tablets enables better absorption of iron. The campaign will be undertaken twice every year on May 1 and November 14.

While all tribal children will be covered within one week, distribution of Vitamin A tablets too will begin soon in the campaign which has seen an expenditure of around Rs 6 crore so far.

During a joint review meeting of Phase II of the Reproductive Child Health programme of the Union Government in Delhi, on Monday, the initiative was discussed and came in for appreciation, says Singh.

“The Union officials commended the work Maharashtra was doing and asked other states to follow suit,” he says.