Kishori Express for adolescent girls launched in Odisha

Angul: After successful implementation in Chhendipada block of Angul district in Odisha, Kishori Express programme was launched in Angul block.

District Collector and Magistrate Anil Kumar Samal launched this programme by inaugurating the Kishori Express vehicle on the eve of Utkal Divas Celebration here in presence of PD, DRDA Atulya Kumar Champatiray, CDMO Dr. RC Garnaik, ADM Tapan Satapathy, ADMO (Medical) Dr. LN Bisoi and JSPL’s GM (CSR) Puspalata Satapathy.

Kishori Express was launched by JSPL in 2011 in Chhendipada Block with an objective to control anaemia in adolescent girls through timely detection and intervention. At that point of the time, the programme covered 171 villages and has been very successful in achieving its desired objective as anaemia level among adolescent girls in Chhendipada Block has been drastically reduced for this intervention. The severe anaemia level of the identified cases has been reduced by 91% and the moderate anaemia cases have been improved to normalcy by 93% since 2011-12. The Foundation also runs Kishori Express in Banarpal block in the district, covering 131 villages.

In September 2017, the District Social Welfare Office, Angul had approved to run the Kishori Express programme in Angul ICDS and had appreciated that ‘severely anaemia among adolescent girls has decreased to the optimum level at Chhendipada ICDS.

Co-Chairperson of JSPL Foundation Shallu Jindal congratulated the Angul CSR team for the decrease of anaemia level of the adolescent girls to the optimum level through intervention of Kishori Express and the replication of the programme in Angul Block.

The Kishori Express will visit 264 Anganwadi Centres and 41 Schools covering 217 villages and one municipality. The customized vehicle is equipped with facilities for hemoglobin test and interactive awareness session on adolescent health through a programme driven giant screen. It dispenses Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) tablets. It also provides adolescent seed kits in order to encourage the adolescent girls into growing their own source of Iron rich greens. The daily visit of Kishori Express is jointly decided by JSPL, ICDS and Health officials.

JSPL’s Group Head (CSR & Education) Prashant Kumar Hota said, “Controlling anaemia in adolescent girls will be a key contributor to control IMR and MMR in the block”. He thanked the district administration for giving the opportunity to replicate the programme in Angul Block.

On the occasion, Sub Collector Basudev Satapathy, DSWO Jhilli Khatua, PO ICDS Paurnamasi Rath, CDPO Renubala Pathy, ICDS Supervisor Lilly Das, DIPRO Sarat Chandra Khatua and other senior officials were also present.

Notably, JSPL Foundation — the CSR Arm of Jindal Steel & Power Ltd — launched the health programme.