Thiamine supplementation can prevent infant deaths: Mandya Zilla Panchayat CEO

Mandya Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer K.R. Nandini has stressed the need for regular thiamine (Vitamin B1) supplementation for postnatal mothers and infants to prevent deaths caused by thiamine deficiency.

She also underscored the importance of sustained awareness campaigns on the consumption of thiamine-rich foods and effective Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities to facilitate early identification and timely treatment of the deficiency.

Addressing a meeting of the District Health Society at the office of the District Health and Family Welfare Officer on January 2, Ms. Nandini said that infant deaths linked to thiamine deficiency are preventable if timely and coordinated measures are implemented by the Health Department.

She directed ASHA and anganwadi workers to work in close coordination to identify malnourished children in their respective areas. All children in the 0–6 year group should be screened regularly and categorised as Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) or Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM). Data should be compiled systematically, she said.

All children suffering from SAM, irrespective of medical or non-medical causes, must be mandatorily referred to the Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) through the District Early Intervention Centre (DEIC), Mandya. Children with MAM should also be admitted to the NRC wherever required, she added.

The Zilla Panchayat CEO said regular monitoring of weight and height, provision of supplementary nutritious food, prevention of infectious diseases, and timely immunisation, apart from ensuring adequate intake of essential nutrients such as vitamins, iron and zinc, would help prevent children with MAM from progressing to SAM.