The Business Bytes
TBB BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, JUNE 22, 2022
Kanya Express, an innovative mobile health van, was launched by the Bansidhar & Ila Panda Foundation with the aim of addressing anaemia amongst adolescent girls and to supplement the government initiative of Anemia Mukta Bharat (AMB).
Inaugurated by Sandeep Bapuraoji Narade, Vice President-Head Mining Business Unit & Executive In-charge Mines today, the Kanya Express will regularly check haemoglobin levels of young girls, facilitate distribution of folic acid supplements and de-worming tablets through government network, and impart awareness on anemia related illnesses, nutrition and wellness.
BIPF will also provide adolescent girls with seed kits to create a nutri-garden in the backyard of their houses which will help with nutrition supplementation.
The “Kanya Express” is a customized mobile health vehicle which will travel to far-flung areas and villages in Jajpur district. This program will cover 104 villages of 25 gram panchayats in Sukinda Block of Jajpur District this year.
In addition to haemoglobin checks and Iron folic acid supplements, The Kanya Express Initiative (KEI) will work in close collaboration with Office of Chief District Medical Officer, District Social Welfare Officer and District Education Officer to address development issues of adolescent girls of Sukinda Block. The customized vehicle will reach every village at least 11 times with various awareness generation messages for the inclusive development of adolescent health.
“Kanya Express will be a game changer for adolescent girls helping them understand nutritional needs and address anaemia related challenges. This project has been introduced with an objective to reduce the intergenerational challenges caused due to anaemia and poor nutrition and in turn reduce MMR and IMR in the program areas,” said Shaifalika Panda, CEO-BIPF.
