APPROXIMATELY 100 students from the Vreed-en-Hoop Secondary School at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara, in Region 3, yesterday benefitted from an  anaemia workshop held by the Food Policy Division of the Ministry of Health.

The workshop sessions were held with 3rd & 4th form students.
Anaemia (“weak blood”) is a major public health problem in both developing and developed countries.
When the number of red blood cells or concentrations of hemoglobin are low a person is said to have anemia. Hemoglobin is a protein inside the red blood cells that contains iron and transports oxygen.

Anemia is the most common disorder of the blood. Approximately 3.5 million Americans are affected by it. However, it is much more common in developing countries, especially in very poor areas where people suffer from malnutrition.
Anaemia is a widespread nutritional disorder and affects mostly adolescents, children, pregnant women and women of child-bearing age.
To help combat iron deficiency anaemia the Food Policy Division of the Ministry of Health will be promoting among adolescents- the future parents- healthy eating habits that will prevent or combat this nutritional disorder.

The following sessions were conducted during the workshop:
1. Health talks on iron deficiency anaemia.
2. Short quizzes on information given during health talks and distribution of prizes (stationery).
3. Tasting of low-cost, iron rich foods and beverages.
4. Distribution of anaemia education materials for both students and school.

According to Community Nutrition Officer, Food Policy Division, Diekola Gittens, students in schools do not really know about anaemia and they may have the disease without being aware of it.
“So we at the Food Policy Division have set out to visit schools around the country and sensitize students about anaemia.”
Meanwhile, Headmistress of the Vreed-en Hoop Secondary School, Ms. Kamal Persaud said that she is happy to have programmes like these in the school and would welcome a lot more.
The students following the workshop all shared the general view that they were not aware of this disease but were happy to be a part of the sessions.