Reaching the unreached AIWC organizes its 1st Anaemia Detection & Prevention Camp in a remote hamlet

MUKESH SHARMA

KALIMPONG, May 16:

Anaemia on the rise all over the world and with its prevalence fairly high in India, the people needs to be well educated about this disease.Hence, with the main objective to create public awareness about the nutritional and health issues, mainly pertaining to Anaemia and especially among women and children the All India Women’s Conference (AIWC) Kalimpong, Constituent branch held its 1^stAnaemia Detection & Prevention Camp at Nimbong (a small hamlet about 70kms away from Kalimpong) on the May 15, 2012. As a part of its project ‘Anaemia Free Society’ and with the cooperation of Dr Sanyukth Liu, Assistant Chief Medical Officer and 2 technicians, the camp proved to be a huge success.

Demonstration on proper breathing for adequate supply of oxygen for purification of blood cells and appropriate Yoga Aasans to encourage proper circulation of blood were given by the yoga instructors from the Art of Living Foundation.  The members also delivered a talk on nutritious diet having high iron content. The members of AIWC and Art of Living believes that with nutritional awareness and much attention to this fast spreading phenomena will immediately help the people  to be healthier and more productive.

A total of 142 availed the opportunity for consultation and detection of anaemic symptoms. Blood samples were taken to check the percentage of haemoglobin of which 90% were detected to be below 11% (acute anaemia). These patients were supplied with iron capsules for 3 months. The doctor also advised the patients for necessary routine checkups for early detection of anaemia and good health and also recommended them to take care of dietary needs and intake lot of green vegetables, fruits and pulses in their every day meal. The second phase of the camp is scheduled for August 07, 2012 at the follow up camp.

It has been recorded that inadequate intake of specified micro-nutrients causes anaemic conditions which affects productivity of individuals. Iron supplements do help but, changing food habits and replacing some foods or addition of iron rich food products helps in addressing this concern.  Of course, highly anaemic individuals need special treatment to bring up iron levels.