With an aim to overcome the nutrition deficiency among the pregnant women and children in Hailakandi, the district administration has begun providing gooseberry (amla) candies having a dose of jaggery and salt.
The administration decided to provide the candies after it was reported that the targeted groups found the prescribed iron-folic acid tablets repulsive.
A 2015 National Health Survey revealed that 47.2 per cent women of reproductive age in Hailakandi were found to be anaemic, due to which the district has the maximum number of anaemic adolescents and children below 5 years.
As per reports, only 24.3 per cent pregnant women and children of the district consume iron-folic acid tablets.
With an aim to overcome this lack, the Hailakandi district administration decided to produce the gooseberry candies with a dose of jaggery and salt.
Gooseberry is rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants and jaggery is rich in iron and other vital vitamins and minerals that boost the immune system.
The candy is given along with the iron-folic acid tablets and if anyone avoids the tablets then he/she can get the required vitamins and minerals by consuming the candy.