Anaemia screening in ashram schools tests 79,624 children in six weeks

Maharashtra's tribal development department has launched a major health checkup campaign called the Anaemia Prevention Programme to tackle anaemia among children studying in government and aided ashram schools and Eklavya Model Residential Schools. Under this campaign, haemoglobin (HB) tests of 79,624 children studying in 204 ashram schools across the state have been completed in just a month and a half.

Of the 79,624 children, 37,919 are boys and 41,705 are girls. School-wise, 55,868 children from 149 government ashram schools, 22,420 children from 48 aided ashram schools and 1,336 children from 6 Eklavya Model Schools were tested.

In Nagpur district, the tribal development department has checked the haemoglobin levels of 1,813 children so far, including 536 children from 2 government ashram schools and 1,295 children from 5 aided ashram schools. In Amravati division, 2,898 children were tested, including 1,885 from 8 government ashram schools and 1,013 from 3 aided ashram schools.

For the entire campaign, the tribal development department has signed an agreement with the Citizens Association for Child Rights. Under this agreement, haemoglobin levels of Scheduled Tribe children in ashram schools are being checked. Children found to have low HB levels have been directed to be given supplementary nutrition, or extra nutritious food, to improve their health.

Tribal Development Department Commissioner Leena Bansod said the health and quality education of tribal children studying in Maharashtra's government and aided ashram schools and Eklavya Model Residential Schools are the department's top priority. She said the screening drive was carried out on a war footing given the seriousness of the anaemia problem among children under the Anaemia Prevention Programme, which is why haemoglobin tests of more than 79,000 children could be completed in just a month and a half.