From Our Correspondent
NONGPOH: Health & Family Welfare Minister AL Hek on Thursday launched the Weekly Iron Folic Acid Supplementation Programme (WIFS) under the National Rural Health Mission in Ri Bhoi District in the presence of Chief Adviser to the State Government DD Lapang at the function at NSCA Indoor Stadium, Nongpoh.
The target beneficiaries of the WIFS Programme are school going children between 10 and 19 years of age (Class VI to Class XII) and out of school adolescents through local Anganwadi centres. The Health department, through this programme, will also conduct public awareness for distribution of Iron Folic Acid tablets on a weekly basis to all the target groups.
Addressing the gathering, Hek said the programme is very apt and pointed out that healthy teens would usher in a bright future for the district and the State as a whole. He stated that anaemia is a serious problem faced by the country today. It results in poor physical growth, poor school performance and reduced concentration, he said, while adding that anaemia has a negative impact on the working capacity and development of children, adolescents and adults.
He informed that anaemia also contributes to poor maternal and child health resulting in increasing morbidity and mortality.
He appealed to all the ASHAs, Anganwadi workers and doctors and staff of NHRM to ensure that the WIFS programme reaches each and every household of the district.
Lapang, in his speech, lauded the Health department for their initiative and pointed out that it was the duty and responsibility of each and every individual to utilize them to ensure better health.
Earlier in the day, a Quiz and dance competition were organized by the NRHM for different schools in the district. Later in the day, winners were awarded by the chief guest and others.
Other dignitaries present in the programme included KW Marbaniang, Secretary Health and Family Welfare, Akash Deep, Deputy Commissioner, Ri Bhoi, MC Deka, DSEO, Dr. F Kharkongngor, DM&HO, K Lamar, Asst. Director ICDS and others. The programme was presided over by Parliamentary Secretary and Umsning legislator Dr. Celestine Lyngdoh.