Punjab government today said it has launched a state-wide weekly iron-folic acid (IFA) drive to prevent anaemia among adolescents.
The health department has also taken steps taken to prevent side effects of IFA, Punjab Minister for Health and Family Welfare Madan Mohan Mittal said.
To prevent side effects of these tablets, guidelines have been issued to all civil surgeons and education department, he said.
The minister said the emergency response medical teams have been constituted in each hospital to deal with any emergency due to side effects of IFA.
Children are screened for moderate and severe anaemia and referred for free health treatment, he said.
Ashok Nayer, Director Health Punjab, said according to the guidelines, IFA should not be taken empty stomach.
Abdominal pain, vomiting or diarrhoea are some side effects of IFA if taken empty stomach, he said.
Nayer said in Punjab, 45 per cent adolescent girls and 30 per cent boys are suffering from anaemia and mal-nutrition due to lack of balanced diet and worm infestation.
