WIFS BLUE CAMPAIGN

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, has started SOLID BANO INDIA campaign through “Weekly Iron And Folic Acid supplementation (WIFS) Programme” to reduce the prevalence and severity of iron and folic acid deficiency anemia in adolescent  population group (10 -19 year). This programme targets Adolescents boys and girls enrolled in classes 6^th -12^th in Government /Aided / Municipal School, as well as willing class teacher and ANMs/AWWs and the adolescents girls who are out of school through the AWW under the SABLA programme.  Under this program, Iron and folic tablets are administered under the direct observation by class teachers/ AWW on a weekly basis fixed day (Monday), to the target population free of cost and Albendazole tabletsfor de-worming to be administered  twice a year to the same targets population group in February and August.   There is minimal side effect of iron tablets if taken after meals. Through this long term strategy iron stores are built better, Cognitive development and physical development improves. Number of deaths / disability due to anemia decreases. The campaign shall help to fight anemia especially amongst Girls in marriageable age group as well as boys who are often left untreated for anemia. About 90,000 adolescents have been  registered in UT Chandigarh as beneficiaries. In this regard training has already been imparted to various stake holders at program level, School level and department of Social Welfare level. Also the Medical Superintendents, Nursing Superintendent s from major health institution, members of village Health and Sanitation Committee, FOSWAC etc in the city have been given orientation training under the Chairmanship of Secretary Health.  The convergence for successful implementation of the programme is being ensured by involving parents, members of FOSWAC, Zila Parishad, VHSC and Medical officer of Health. Further the preparedness plan for demand generation and acceptance of Iron Folic Acid Tablet/ Albendazole Tablets by all the parents to their Adolescents both boys and girls aged 10-19 yrs needs to be ensured.  Therefore a Pre Launch of WIFS blue campaign shall be done in UT Chandigarh by Advisor to Administrator Shri K.K. Sharma, IAS at Tagore Theater, Sec-18 Chandigarh at 10.00 AM of 15^th January 2013. About 1000 participants from different sectors are expected to attend the pre-launch ceremony. The actual programme shall start by April 2013.