Maharatna PSU Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), in collaboration with Times Employ India Foundation, is set to launch an extensive health and nutrition programme aimed at tackling anaemia, malnourishment, and promoting hygiene practices within government schools and their adjacent communities in the tribal region of Jhabua.
The initiative, conducted under the auspices of Times Employ India Foundation will encompass primary health check-ups for approximately 3800 students, including regular screenings and monitoring. The six-month programme, slated to commence in late October, will feature an array of medical tests such as Complete Blood Count (CBC), Iron profile, Haemoglobin, Haematocrit, Height and Weight measurements, Body Mass Index (BMI), Serum Albumin, and Vitamin-D to evaluate the programme's impact.
The BPCL, Government, and Times Employ India Foundation will institute long-term measures to address health imbalances among students at their foundational level by involving seven schools in Jhabua through awareness programmes. The project extends to enlightening students and their families about essential nutritional elements, both within the school premises and at the village level, utilising role plays and street performances (nukkad nataks) to disseminate mass awareness. Additionally, nutritional workshops will be conducted to promote balanced meals, nutritional snacking videos, interactive sessions, and the regular inclusion of green leafy vegetables and fruits. Each school will also initiate a monthly 'One Fruit A Day' campaign.
Furthermore, the programme will emphasise Health and Hygiene Education Awareness Campaigns, focusing on aspects like handwashing, menstrual hygiene management, and behavioural change. To ensure the initiative's productivity and inclusivity, health-related competitions will be introduced in schools and communities, and School Health and hygiene Committees will be established to maintain best practices continuity. Students and communities will receive educational materials, including books and assistance with 'Building As Learning Aid' (BALA) on nutritional and hygiene practices, fostering the adoption of value-based principles.
