- 3rd position in the country in IFA supplement, also got national award for best IEC exhibition
Madhya Pradesh has achieved significant achievements at the national level in the effective implementation of the Anemia Free India ( AMB) campaign. Madhya Pradesh has received national honors in two different categories in a national workshop organized by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. The region was ranked third in the country for effective implementation of Iron and Folic Acid ( IFA) supplementation in all six target beneficiary groups , while the “Best IEC Display” award was awarded for excellent IEC content related to anemia control and public awareness .
- Effective outreach of IFA supplementation to all six beneficiary groups
Life-Cycle Approach has been adopted by Madhya Pradesh to prevent anemia under Anemia Free India Mission . Under this special focus is being given to delivery of IFA supplementation as per prescribed protocol to all the six defined beneficiary groups at different stages of the life-cycle.
In the region, IFA syrup is provided to children aged 6 – 59 months , IFA pink tablets to children aged 5 – 9 years , IFA blue tablets to adolescents aged 10 – 19 years and IFA red tablets to women of childbearing age of 20 – 49 years . Similarly, pregnant and lactating women are also being ensured IFA supplementation as per prescribed period and protocol. Thus, a continuum-based approach has been adopted for the prevention of anemia from infancy to adolescence , reproductive age , pregnancy and lactation.
IFA supplementation has also been linked to community and school-based service delivery mechanisms, not limiting access to health facilities. Efforts are being made to ensure regular availability and consumption of IFA to eligible beneficiaries through schools , Anganwadi centers and other community platforms along with the field staff of the Health Department . Also special emphasis is being laid on identification of missing beneficiaries , necessary follow-up and continuous monitoring of program progress.
- Special emphasis on regular consumption and public awareness
Not only the distribution of IFA , but also its regular intake and compliance has been considered important for anemia control . For this purpose extensive public awareness activities are being conducted among the beneficiaries and their families regarding the causes of anemia , its impact on health and nutrition , importance of iron rich diet and regular intake of IFA .
In this order, the IEC content of Madhya Pradesh was awarded as “Best IEC Display” in the National Workshop. The use of simple , effective and innovative communication media in state IEC content related to anemia prevention , IFA supplementation and behavioral change was appreciated at the national level. Through these efforts special attention has been paid to convey the messages of anemia control to the community in an easy and effective manner.
- Coordinated efforts are recognized at the national level
Madhya Pradesh’s third national award for effective implementation of IFA supplementation in all six target beneficiary groups and award for outstanding IEC performance is a significant achievement of coordinated efforts towards anemia control in the state. These results have been achieved due to the continuous efforts , better coordination and engagement of the health department officials , field health staff , Anganwadi workers , schools and all partners associated with the campaign . Madhya Pradesh is continuously working towards ensuring access of IFA supplements to end beneficiaries , promoting regular intake and making public awareness more effective for prevention and control of anemia .
