WIFS programme to be relaunched in Haryana

Haryana Health department aims to soon relaunch Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplement (WIFS) programme which will cover about 16 lakh students of state-run schools and 30,000 girls who were not attending school.
The programme will be relaunched from July 22, Gurgaon Civil Surgeon Dr B K Rajaura said while presiding over a WIFS workshop at Gymkhana club here.
Iron tablets are not harmful, rather help in overcoming Anemia, and 50 per cent of Anemia is caused due to iron deficiency, he said.
Dr Rajaura asked parents to give their children proper food before sending them to schools as taking iron tablets empty stomach could lead to giddiness or vomiting.

Initially, the programme was started in May this year but was stopped after some girls in Fatehabad district reported giddiness, he said.
In Gurgaon, about 1.25 lakh students would be given one tablet per week.
As per National Family Health Survey, 58 percent of girls and 26 percent boys in age group of 10 to 19 years in Haryana are anemic, Dr Rajaura said.