Ignoring norms, state plans iron capsules for kids…..Sanjeev Shivadekar
MUMBAI: This is a classic example of how much the state government cares for schoolchildren. Ignoring the norms suggested by the Union ministry of health and family welfare, the school education department has proposed to procure 150 mg capsules to be given to the students covered under the mid-day meal scheme.
After a review policy on micronutrients and iron folic acid (IFA) supplement for schoolkids, the letter from the Union government on April 23, 2007, mentions that the dose of IFA should not exceed 20 mg for kids aged between six months and 5 years. Similarly, the dose should not be more than 30 mg for children between 6 years and 10 years.
TOI is in possession of documents mentioning about the process to procure 150 mg IFA capsules. The proposal was given the go-ahead despite the objection raised by Nirvikar Pratishthan, a Pune-based NGO. “Excess dose of iron supplement to students may lead to stomach and digestion problems,” said Nilesh Kulkarni, president of the NGO.
School education minister Balasaheb Thorat was unaware of the issue. “I will seek details from my officials. If any decision is taken in contradiction to the norms laid by the Union government or against the interest of the children, I will immediately rectify the decision,” he said.
Indu Khosla, city-based paediatrician, stated that excess dose may lead to indigestion, constipation and vomiting. “Every child does not have iron deficiency. Iron intake is accumulated in the body and not thrown out like other supplement. The dose should be administered only on the recommendation of the doctor, instead of giving all kids,” she said, adding, “The dose which government plans to procure is generally prescribed for adults and not meant for kids.”
If the procured supplement is given daily to kids, then it is an excess dose, but if it is given on therapy basis (twice a week), then the dose is lesser than the requirement of the kids, she further stated.
In May this year, in Amritsar, 22 students of primary classes fell unconscious after consuming excess dose of iron tablets. There, too, the tablets were distributed under the mid-day meal scheme by the school administration.