DC: High prevalence of anaemia in Parvatipuram linked to poor nutritionEmphasising the importance of nutritious food through Anganwadi centres to combat anaemia, officials confident of mitigating the issue.

District Collector A Shyam Prasad has expressed concern over the high prevalence of anaemia in Parvathipuram district, calling for a concerted effort to address this public health issue. During a meeting of the anaemia prevention committee at Panasabadra village in Makkuva mandal, the Collector emphasized the need for coordinated action by various departments. He attributed the high prevalence of anaemia in the district to poor nutritional intake, stressing the importance of consistent consumption of nutritious food provided through Anganwadi centres. He expressed confidence that by identifying and addressing anaemia cases, the issue can be significantly mitigated.
To combat anaemia, the Collector assured that necessary medical interventions, including injections and medications, would be made available to those affected. He also highlighted the dedicated shelter for pregnant women in Salur, where they receive balanced nutrition and regular monitoring by healthcare professionals.
The Collector instructed ANMs to ensure pregnant women in the village fully utilize the Salur shelter and recommended bi-monthly tests to assess the adequacy of food provided by Anganwadi centres. “No pregnant woman should suffer from anaemia, and every delivery should be a joyful occasion,” he emphasized, urging Asha workers, ANMs, and doctors to continuously monitor women and ensure their daily consumption of green vegetables, milk, and eggs.
In addition to addressing anaemia, the Collector also announced various initiatives to support the villagers, including the provision of homes under the PMAY scheme, construction of toilets, and employment opportunities under government schemes including lamb breeding, cow farming, oil palm cultivation, check dams, and sheds. He mentioned that farmers who collaborate could benefit from a 50:50 funding scheme from ITDA for the construction of borewells to irrigate their fields.
Later, the Collector made a surprise visit to Parvathipuram Pedabondapalli Zilla Parishad High School to assess academic standards. He expressed satisfaction with the students’ responses and encouraged teachers to strive for excellence. He also inspected the school’s kitchen garden and commended the school for adhering to the government-prescribed menu for meals.
_____________