Therubali, August 11, 2023. In a significant stride towards adolescent health and well-being, the Bansidhar and Ila Panda Foundation (BIPF) announced the expansion of its transformative initiative, "Kanya Express," during a momentous launch ceremony held at Therubali, Rayagada. The initiative is designed to combat the prevalent issue of anaemia among adolescent girls.
Since its inception in 2021, the "Kanya Express" initiative has steadfastly supported the government's Anaemia Mukta Bharat (AMB) campaign. By providing vital healthcare solutions, it has positively impacted around 9,977 girls across 158 villages in Cuttack and Jajpur districts of Odisha. Building on its commendable success, BIPF has taken a giant leap by extending the program's reach to an additional 92 villages spanning nine gram panchayats of Therubali, Rayagada – a tribal-dominated aspirational district.
The "Kanya Express" mobile health van stands as a beacon of hope in the battle against anaemia among adolescent girls. With the core objective of enhancing health outcomes, the van conducts regular hemoglobin level checks, facilitates the distribution of Iron Folic Acid supplements and Deworming tablets through government networks, and imparts essential knowledge about overall wellness. In a bid to ensure proper nutrition, BIPF also equips girls with seed kits, enabling them to establish nutri-gardens in their households.
The launch ceremony witnessed the gracious presence of esteemed government officials from district and block levels, including Sri. Goura Chandra Pattanayak, OAS, BDO, Kolonara, and Smt. BijayLaxmiSahu, CDPO, Kolonara. Sarapanch, Samiti Members of Peripheral GPs, local luminaries, opinion makers, social workers, as well as representatives from IMFA & BIPF also graced the event, signifying the collaborative effort invested in this crucial initiative.
India faces an alarming burden of anaemia, with NFHS-5 (2019-21) revealing that 57% of women aged 15-49 and 67% of children between six months and 59 months are affected by this condition.
Sri BhimsenSabar, Sub-Collector, Rayagada graced the occasion as Chief Guest and flagged off the KANYA EXPRESS and said “it’s a welcome step. Literacy rate of Rayagada is as low as 50% and women literacy is around 30%. Through this Kanya Express Adolescent girls can be made aware on their health issues. He appealed to other corporates to have such initiatives”.
Sri. Lal Mohan Rout, CDMO, Rayagada, said “this program will supplement our program at grass-root level. He requested Frontline workers to extend their help to make the program a success”.
Speaking about the programme, Ms. Shaifalika Panda, Trustee & Founder CEO of Bansidhar and Ila Panda Foundation, said, "We are pleased to expand the reach of Kanya Express initiative to Therubali, Rayagada after witnessing a positive impact on the lives of adolescents in Cuttack and Jajpur. Enhancing awareness among adolescent girls on anaemia-related illnesses, balanced nutrition, and reproductive rights can lead to benefits beyond health as it can also improve enrolment for higher education and continuity of education leading to a productive future.”
The "Kanya Express" initiative adopts a holistic approach to adolescent health, encompassing regular hemoglobincheckups and Body Mass Index (BMI) assessments. Beyond addressing anaemia, the initiative promotes awareness about nutrition supplementation, personal hygiene practices, reproductive and personal rights, and responsible health-seeking behavior. These multifaceted efforts resonate with the Millennium Development Goals of Zero Hunger, Good Health & Wellbeing, Quality Education, Gender Equality, and Clean Water & Sanitation.
BIPF's steadfast commitment to the well-being and empowerment of adolescent girls shines through in its "Kanya Express" initiative, which is poised to continue making a lasting and positive impact on the lives of young girls throughout Odisha.
