Minister launches drive against anaemia

Cabinet Minister Dr Baljit Kaur launched a campaign for an ‘Anaemia-Free India’ at a function organised at the local Sri Guru Arjun Dev Government Girls Senior Secondary Smart School here on Thursday. Dr Baljit Kaur, while addressing the gathering, said that approximately 30,000 girl students studying from grades 6 to 12 in government schools across the district will have their blood tested to detect and treat anaemia. The initiative aims to safeguard the health and well-being of young girls by identifying cases of anaemia and ensuring prompt medical intervention.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Rahul said that for the smooth execution of the campaign, 10 medical teams from the Rashtriya Bal Swasth Karyakram (RBSK) have been deployed. The medical officers have already been trained in using specialised equipment for the tests.

Civil Surgeon Dr Gurpreet Singh Rai stated that the Health Department has developed a ‘Talk, Test, Treat’ (3T) strategy for the campaign. During the first phase, the Health Department’s teams will not only check the haemoglobin levels but also assess the student’s height, bone health and muscle strength based on their age. These tests will be conducted without a needle prick, ensuring a painless experience for the students.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) Sanjiv Sharma, SDM, Tarn Taran, Arvindarpal Singh, District Vaccination Officer Dr Varinderpal Kaur and other officials were present on the occasion.