Cuttack: With an aim of addressing anaemia among adolescent girls, the Bansidhar and Ila Panda Foundation (BIPF) launched Kanya Express, an innovative mobile health van, here on Tuesday.
The facility, which was inaugurated by Cuttack collector Bhabani Shanker Chayani, will regularly check haemoglobin level of young girls, facilitate distribution of folic acid supplements 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 to help with nutrition supplementation.
The Kanya Express will travel to remote areas in Cuttack district. The programme will cover 53 villages of 9 panchayats in the current year.
Speaking on the occasion, Shaifalika Panda, CEO, BIPF said, “Kanya Express will be a game changer for adolescent girls helping them understand nutritional needs and address anemia related challenges. This project has been introduced with an objective to reduce the intergenerational challenges caused due to anemia and poor nutrition and in turn reduce MMR and IMR in the program areas.”
Inaugurating the mobile health initiative, Cuttack collector said, “Kanya Express, a highly innovative step, will reach remote locations and create awareness among adolescent girls on education, health, importance of balanced diet and personal hygiene.”
