Bhubaneswar: The State Project Management of Mid Day Meal scheme has written letter to all district collectors directing to ensure unhindered distribution of Iron Folic Acid tablets to the students under National Iron Plus Initiative (NIPI) programme during COVID-19 pandemic.
As per the NIPI programme, Iron Folic Acid tablets coated with calorie & protein content are provided to school going children and pregnant or lactating woman.
Odisha government has extended the closure of schools till 31st August 2020 on account of COVID 19 pandemic. In this trying situation, the nutrition of school-going children is challenged and their immunity is adversely affected.
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“In order to address the hidden hunger among school-going children, it is necessary that they continue the consumption of weekly Iron Folic Acid tablets supplementation under National Iron Plus Initiative (NIPI) programme.” the letter by MDM project unit nodal officer, Gangadhar Sahoo said.
The school teachers will distribute the stock of unutilized MDM dry rice in schools and coupons to the students. They are also being instructed to distribute IFA tablets for the month of July and August. Ten tablets for each student to be given to their parents/guardians along with distribution of MOM dry rice/coupons at one go.
The letter further stated that the IFA tablets will be distributed by the teachers adhering COVID-19 norms and SMC will be monitoring the distribution and consumption of IFA tablets by the school children at home and also guide them if necessary.
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