Sangrur, March 3 -- A focused dietary intervention, which included adding iron-rich foods in mid-day meals and ensuring 100% intake of folic acid tablets, has helped the Sangrur district administration bring down anaemia incidence among government schoolchildren in just six months. From 40.57% anaemia-affected students in May 2023, Sangrur now has just 2.7 % (January 2024) children suffering from this condition that is characterised by reduction in haemoglobin (Hb) levels or red-blood cells.

As part of the pilot project, the administration focused on 21 schools, having 1,188 students.

"We encouraged these schools to maintain a kitchen garden and grow iron-rich vegetables such as spinach, fenugreek (methi), curry leaves and drumsticks an...