Shillong, August 2, 2013: Youth Festival 2013 and the launching of the Weekly Iron Folic Acid Supplementation Programme (WIFS) under National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) for East Khasi Hills District on the theme “Healthy Teens: Brighter Future” was inaugurated today by the Meghalaya Minister of Health & Family Welfare Mr. A.L. Hek at a function held at U Soso Tham Auditorium, Shillong.
The programme was organized by the District Medical and Health Officer, East Khasi Hills in collaboration with Education and Social Welfare Departments and saw attendance of Mr. M. R. Synrem, Secretary Health and Family Welfare Department and Mission Director, NRHM, Meghalaya, Shri S. Goyal, Deputy Commissioner and Chairman District Health Society, NRHM, East Khasi Hills, Dr. M.K. Marak, Director Health Services, (MI), Smti R. Marak, Deputy Director, Social Welfare, government officials, Principals and students from schools in and around Shillong.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Hek said that the theme is very apt and pointed out that healthy teens are the bright future of the State.
Stating that Anaemia results in poor physical growth, poor school performance and reduced concentration Mr. Hek said that this has a negative impact on the working capacity and development of children, adolescents and adults. Informing that Anaemia also contributes to poor maternal and child health, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality, Mr. Hek said that with this in view, the Health Department has taken up Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) programme to prevent and control anaemia.
Mr. Hek also said that under the programme, supervised Iron-Folic Acid (IFA) dosage would be given to adolescents in the age group of 10-19 years from classes 6-12 and through Anganwadi Centres for out of school adolescents.
The day long programme includes Technical Session on Adolescent Health, Nutritional Anaemia, Life Skills, Counseling Session, Inter School Quiz, Debate, Dancing and Singing Competition for Schools and Colleges.(SP News)
