Anaemia continues to haunt the city reveals the survey result of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation. The survey reported that the number of anaemic kids in Anganwadi and primary schools have increased over-the-years.
According to the survey, almost four in twenty kids are suffering from anaemia.The survey is conducted under the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram every year during December to February.
Anaemia in AMC run schools and Anganwadi
Anaemia is a major health issue across the globe, and women and children are the most vulnerable to it. The health assessment conducted on 213634 kids of 2757 Anganwadis of which 72658 kids were found ill, suffering from different diseases. Highest among them were anaemic which were 39882.
Last year, total surveyed kids in the Anganwadis were 1,97,232 of which 28,504 kids were suffering from anaemia. In 2016-17, AMC had screened 1,84,306 kids of Anganwadi of the total 17 per cent were found anaemic.
Several measures are being taken by the civic body to provide supplementary and healthy food. Still, there seems no improvement in the AMC. "The kids who are coming to the Anganwadis are coming from the financially poor background, mostly from the slum pockets. They are hardly getting nutritious food. We are providing them with food and tablets to battle with malnourishment. Malnourished kids are anaemic," said Dr Bhavin Solanki, in-charge medical officer of health, AMC.
"Our food assistant to them is not sufficient. For underprivileged children, eating leafy vegetable or fruits is costly, added Dr Solanki.
In the school from class 1 to 8, about 16 per cent anaemic children were found after the screening. Total 7,31,638 school children, studying in AMC run and private schools were screened, of which 1,21,055 were diagnosed as anaemic. While in the high school 255796 were screened from which 41907 were found suffering from anaemia.
Not only anaemic, obesity also prevails
The survey has also found the presence of obesity among these kids, however, it is in a smaller number. Of the total surveyed kids 135 were found with obesity among Anganwadi kids, while 286 kids were found obese in the primary section. The doctor says junk food is the main reason for this.
"Though these children are coming from a poor background, they can afford cheaper junk food packed in a lucrative packet. This can satisfy their hunger at some level but cannot give nutrition. Such food is responsible for obesity," said Dr Kinnari Mehta, in-charge family welfare officer of AMC.
Poor eyesight
Among the Anganwadi kids, 2015 kids were detected with poor eyesight. The experts referred eye-glasses for 1521 kids of which 77 have been given pair of glasses while 1444 will be given in a few weeks. In the primary section, 42,912 students were found with poor eyesight of which 12,575 kids were given spectacles while 11219 will be given glass in a few weeks. These students were given the eyewear by the corporation free of cost.
A serious illness like cancer and renal issue
More than a hundred kids were found with serious trouble with kidney or cancer. Among the Anganwadi kids, 45 had kidney, 20 were having cancer, 94 were having to hear problem and 6558 were having respiratory issues. From the primary section 52 were found with cancer, 79 with a heart ailment, 10964 respiratory issue and 135 students have kidney issue.
Those having the above-mentioned issues were given treatment at the Civil Hospital and for heart issue, these students were treated at the UN Mehta hospital.