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IFA supplementation - National Nutritional anaemia Prophylaxis programme

Vitamin A & IFA supplementation 4 pages - 210 kb - download   pdf document

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has revised the guidelines on IFA supplementation related to the National Nutritional anaemia Prophylaxis programme.

This is the outcome of a long process, initiated with different consultations on anaemia in adolescent girls, the National Consultation on Micronutrients in end 2003 with ICMR/MHFW, work  with the committee (chaired by DG  ICMR) constituted  subsequently and work with NRHM and different groups on the 11 th plan.  Highlights of the same include the following

1. The infants between 6-12 months should also be included in the programme as there is sufficient evidence that iron deficiency affects this age also.
    
2. Children between 6 months to 60 months should be given 20mg elemental iron and 100 mcg folic acid per day per child as this regimen is considered safe and effective.
    
3. National IMNCI guidelines for this supplementation to be followed.
    
4. For children (6-60 months), ferrous sulphate and folic acid should be provided in a liquid formulation containing 20 mg elemental iron and 100mcg folic acid per ml of the liquid formulation. For safety reason, the liquid formulation should be dispensed in bottles so designed that only 1 ml cab be dispensed each time.
    
5. Dispersible tablets have an advantage over liquid formulations in programmatic conditions. These have been used effectively in other parts of the world and in large scale Indian studies. The logistics of introducing dispersible formulation of Iron and Folic Acid should be expedited under the programme.
    
6. The current programme recommendations for pregnant and lactating women should be continued.
    
7. School children, 6-10 year old, and adolescents, 11-18 year olds, should also be included in the National Nutritional Anaemia Prophylaxis Programme  (NNAPP).
    
8. Children 6-10 year old will be provided 30 mg elemental iron and 250 mcg folic acid per child per day for 100 days in a year.
    
9. Adolescents, 11-18 years will be supplemented at the same doses and duration as adults. The adolescent girls will be given priority.
    
10. Multiple channels and strategies are required to address the problem of iron deficiency anaemia. The newer products such as double fortified salts / sprinkles/ ultra rice and other micro nutrient candidates or fortified candidates should be explored as an adjunct or alternate supplementation strategy.

02 January, 2009