Priyanka Chopra raises awareness of anaemia in adolescents

Priyanka Chopra raises awareness of anaemia in adolescents

Deccan Chronicle | December 24, 2015, 16.38 pm IST
Actress Priyanka Chopra came out to support the Weekly Iron Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) campaign, a program to eradicate nutritional anaemia in adolescents. Initiated by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the campaign will see the 33-year-old UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador reach out to the masses to raise awareness about the condition.The actress spoke a little on the initiative. She began her speech saying, "This campaign is especially important because India is the youngest country of the world. We have about 60 per cent of population under 35. Statistics of anaemia are so scary especially with the girl child.""I have been associated with the UNICEF and have had the good fortune of being able to speak for the advocacy of rights of the young girls and boys. But if they don't have the ammunition to be their best potential self, how will this country go forward," Priyanka told reportersFree pills will be distributed to children in schools and anganwadis under the campaign which aims to reduce the prevalence and severity of nutritional anaemia among 11.2 crore adolescents in India.The Bollywood star turned international television sensation, said that the pill has helped her stay fit and healthy, despite her erratic work schedule."We started this campaign about six months ago in Bhopal and I got introduced to it for the first time. It was such an easy concept because I have a crazy lifestyle. I work 16 hours a day, travelling up and down across the world and I don't get time to eat. I have been having this pill for last six months since I launched it, " she said at the event.The actress also said that pregnant women should be made aware about about this condition, as anaemia often leads to preterm delivery and babies with low birth weight.