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Written By: Admin | Updated : October 7, 2014 6:10 PM IST
There's something seriously wrong with government schemes and their implementation. First there was the midday meal horror and then the much-touted iron and folic acid replacement plan that's leaving children dizzy and ill.
Update: Haryana to set up helpline after 900 kids take ill
The Haryana government directed the setting up of a helpline to assist students who show any side-effects after being administered the iron-folic acid tablets during the state-wide campaign.
'The National Rural Health Mission, Haryana, will set up a helpline to guide those needing help in case of any side-effects, following the consumption of iron and folic acid tablets during the ongoing campaign in the state. The helpline number will be made functional from next Monday,' a government spokesman said on Wednesday.
A meeting, chaired by state Education Minister Geeta Bhukkal, was held here Wednesday after it was reported that nearly 900 children in government schools have shown side-effects after taking the tablets, and needed medical attention.
Bhukkal directed the officers to educate teachers that these tablets be given to the children after the mid-day meal. She said that iron folic acid tablets were being given to combat anaemia among children.
NRHM director Rakesh Gupta said that about 16 lakh (1.6 mn) students of classes VI to XII were administered the iron tablets during the programme.
'There were some side-effects, but a majority of the students did not show the side effects,' he said. 'The 100 mg tablets are being given weekly after consultation with the experts of the medical fraternity,' Gupta said. The number of Gurgaon government school students taken ill after eating iron supplement tablets the day before rose to 146 Tuesday, officials said. Most of the students who were administered the iron tablets complained of vomiting, diarrhoea, headache and stomach pain. At least 26 students, who were given iron tablets Monday, were admitted to civil hospital here. Another 30 students, from different parts of the district, were treated at Bhondsi primary health centre, said a doctor.
'As many as 146 student with different illness were treated in primary health centers and community heath centres,' an official, who did not wish to named, told IANS. Parents of some of the affected children admitted them to private hospitals. A large number of students from different parts of the district Tuesday missed their classes. (Read: Was the plan doomed to failure?)
A Haryana government spokesperson admitted in Chandigarh that across the state 879 children were found suffering from mild side-effects like stomach ache and nausea after being administered iron folic tablets under a statewide campaign. Gurgaon Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Pushpa Bishnoi told IANS: 'Students reported giddiness after consuming iron tablets but there was nothing to worry.' The tablets were given to students as part of the re-launch of Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplement (WIFS) programme by Haryana's health department. Iron supplement tablets help in overcoming anaemia. 'This programme is for the betterment of the health of children and will continue,' said Bishnoi. Bishnoi said it was medically accepted that people taking iron tablets on an empty stomach may suffer from giddiness or vomiting sensation. The WIFS programme will cover about 16 lakh students studying in government schools of the state.
In Gurgaon, more than one lakh students would be given one tablet every week for more than six months.
Source: IANS
