Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:
(a) whether anatomical abnormal health of bone cause bone fracture among millions of people every year;
(b) if so, the steps being taken by the Government for ensuring normal health of bone and muscles of adolescent girls, pregnant women and breast feeding mothers; and
(c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to check the intestine infection and increase the levels of calcium among children?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)
(a): Osteoporosis is a condition that causes bones to weaken. Weakened bones are more prone to break or fracture.
Information regarding exact number of people suffering from bone fractures in the country is not maintained centrally.
(b): Some of the steps taken by Govt. of India to improve health & nutritional status of children, adolescent girls, pregnant women and breast feeding mothers are :
1) Under Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Programme of National Health Mission of MoHFW, various interventions are being implemented to improve the health of mother and children which have implications on nutritional status of children. These are:-
(i) Promotion of appropriate infant and young child feeding practices (IYCF) that include early Initiation of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding till 6 months of age during the Village Health and Nutrition Days and household visits for counseling by ASHAs.
(ii) Treatment of children with severe acute malnutrition at special units called the Nutrition Rehabilitation Centers (NRCs).
(iii) Management of under-nutrition and common neonatal and childhood illnesses at community and facility level by training service providers in IMNCI (Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illnesses).
(iv) Mothers Absolute Affection (MAA) has been launched in August, 2016 for capacity building of health personnel for lactation support and promotion of breast feeding.
2) Nutrition Education to increase the awareness and bring about desired changes in the dietary practices including the promotion of breast feeding and dietary diversification is being encouraged under both Integrated Child Development Services Scheme (ICDS) of M/o Women and Child Development and National Health Mission (NHM) under MoHFW. Monthly Village Health and Nutrition Days an observed in villages for provision of maternal and Child care. Emphasis is given to intake of green leafy vegetables and other important sources of iron and means to promote iron absorption.
3) Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has formulated Standards for Fortification of food items with micronutrients such as:-
(i) Wheat Flour :- Iron, Folic Acid, Zinc, Vit A, B12, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin, Pyridoxine.
(ii) Rice :- Iron, Folic Acid, Zinc, Vit A, B12, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin, Pyridoxine.
(iii) Milk :- Vitamin A and D.
(iv) Oil :- Vitamin A and D.
(v) Salt:- Iodine or double fortified with Iodine & Iron.
(c): Deworming is one of the interventions of Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) Strategy launched by MoHFW in April,2018 to control intestinal worm infestations.
National Deworming Day is a fixed day strategy to administer Albendazole tablets to all the children in the age group of 1-19 years through the platform of Aaganwadi Centres and Schools.