THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the prevalence of anaemia among adolescent girls, children and women turning into a major health problem in the state, the department of women and child development has come up with a unique campaign to fight it by popularising indigenous recipes to boost iron intake.
As part of the observation of 'national nutrition month' in October, the department has launched a campaign among 66000 workers under ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services) to come up with interesting recipes to fight iron deficiency.
It is learnt that around 35.6 per cent children aged between 6 and 59 months are anaemic and around 34.2 per cent women falling under 15 to 49 years of age in the state also share the condition.
"Iron tablets are only a supplement and people are reluctant to have them. Hence ensuring a healthy diet is the only way to fight anaemia. Indigenous vegetables and other raw materials are abundant in the state and hence popularising such recipes would help the public integrate it in their diet," said an official of the department of women and child development. The official said that many of the workers have started sending recipes, though the recent floods have derailed the plans.
"The plan is to popularise the selected recipes in the media platform. Because of the floods we have to postpone the month-long programme to October. Many of our units are badly affected by the floods. But now because of floods it's inappropriate to put pressure on them," said the official. The programme has been postponed to ensure better participation from the Anganwadi workers.
"We have one month time now and online platforms are a better way to reach the general public," the official added.
