Bhubaneswar, Nov 23 (PTI) In a bid to ensure complete eradication of anaemia problem among women and children in Odisha, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday launched AMLAN- ‘Anaemia Mukta Lakhya Abhiyan’ in the state.
The state has formulated a multi-pronged approach for accelerated reduction of anaemia among targeted groups.
The programme will be implemented with joint efforts of several departments including Health and Family Welfare, School and Mass Education, Women and Child Development, Mission Shakti and ST and SC Development Department.
Terming the mission a giant leap, Patnaik said: “It’s our own programme for making the state free from anaemia, especially among women and children. The programme will benefit about 1.37 crore people, which includes pregnant women, lactating mothers, women of reproductive age group, adolescents and children.” He said that the major interventions are strengthening iron and folic acid supplementation, testing for hemoglobin, treatment of anemic cases, capacity building of service providers and social behaviour change communication.
The chief minister said the programme will be rolled out in 55,000 government and government aided schools and 74,000 Anganwadi Centres across the state.
Stating that the effort is focused on the principle of ‘Every life is precious’, Patnaik said that the state government has prioritized for development of the health sector in Odisha.
With intensive focus on public health schemes, Odisha has shown improvement in many health indicators like immunization, infant mortality rate, maternal mortality ratio, infant and young child feeding practices, and under-nutrition. However, anaemia remains a major public health challenge across the country, he added.
The chief minister urged the concerned departments and on-field service providers to work in a concerted manner for the successful implementation of AMLAN for achieving Anemia Mukta Odisha.
Patnaik also released the Operational Guidelines for AMLAN.
Chief Secretary SC Mohapatra said the state will certainly achieve its goal with coordinated efforts of all departments. PTI AAM AAM RG RG
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