With the aim of creating an anemia-free Punjab, Social Security, Women, and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur today launched an anemia screening campaign for girl students studying in government schools from Sri Guru Arjan Dev Government Senior Secondary School (Girls) in Tarn Taran. On the first day of the campaign, around 1,152 girl students were tested for anemia by 10 teams.
On this occasion, Deputy Commissioner of Tarn Taran, Mr. Rahul, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Mr. Rajdeep Singh Brar, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) Mr. Sanjeev Kumar, SDM Tarn Taran Mr. Arvinderpal Singh, and Civil Surgeon Dr. Gurpreet Singh Rahe were present. Addressing the gathering, Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur emphasized the Punjab government's commitment to ensuring the good health of every citizen.
She stated that, keeping this objective in mind, the government has initiated an anemia screening campaign for schoolgirls. In the initial phase, blood tests will be conducted for nearly 30,000 girl students studying in classes 6 to 12 in government schools across Tarn Taran district to detect anemia. She assured that immediate treatment would be provided to those diagnosed with anemia.
Dr. Baljit Kaur highlighted that a girl's physical and mental health is directly linked to her hemoglobin levels. She announced that the anemia screening campaign is being launched as a pilot project from the historic city of Tarn Taran and will soon be expanded to all districts to achieve the goal of an anemia-free Punjab.
She further informed that the Punjab government is using advanced equipment for girl student testing, allowing hemoglobin levels and anemia detection without the need for needle pricks. Dr. Baljit Kaur stressed the importance of maintaining proper hemoglobin levels for a healthy life.
Encouraging students, Dr. Baljit Kaur advised them to consume a nutritious diet and completely avoid junk food. She urged society to provide equal opportunities for girls to achieve their goals and called on parents to focus on their daughters' nutritional needs.
She also mentioned that the Punjab government is taking concrete steps against child labor and child begging. So far, the Social Security, Women, and Child Development Department has rescued 261 children from child labour and begging, integrating them into the mainstream and enrolling them in schools under the department’s scholarship scheme.
Deputy Commissioner Mr. Rahul stated that the district administration has provided the Health Department with modern equipment for anemia screening, allowing hemoglobin levels to be detected within minutes. He added that under the National Child Health Program, special camps will be organized in various government schools across the district for the anemia screening of girls in grades 6 to 12.
Under the leadership of Civil Surgeon Dr. Gurpreet Singh Rahe, District Immunization Officer Dr. Varinderpal Kaur provided awareness about the harmful effects of anemia on the body. She stated that the modern equipment available to the Health Department will make anemia screening for girls much easier.
She assured that immediate treatment would be provided to those diagnosed with anemia, ensuring its effective elimination.