Project Kishori Express

Kishori Express is an anemia control programme amongst the adolescent girls, implemented across 537 villages of Banarpal & Angul blocks in Angul district of Odisha & 87 villages of Punhana block of Nuh district of State Haryana (under the GOI’s Aspiration District Programme launched by Hon. Prime Minister). The programme was rolled in April 2011 in Chendipada block and replicated at Banarpal block of Angul in 2012 in Odisha.

3 customized vans are operating in the locations equipped with a giant Screen running quiz on personal hygiene and life skill, digital haemometer, Sanitary napkin, Iron Centric Seed kit and brochures on awareness on anemia, potential hazards of low hemoglobin, prevention measures and the importance on Pink health of adolescent girls to control IMR and MMR. The Programme is running in close collaboration with the respective State Govt. / Dist Administration. The ASHA / Anganwadi workers have been providing IFA tablets to severe anemic girls and helping in medical treatment of girls having secondary causes of low hemoglobin.

As part of the awareness campaign associated with the Kishori express, interactive sessions with young girls on health, diet, nutrition, hygiene awareness and anaemia control are done. Besides hb testing, sensitization programmes through counselling video shows, hygiene awareness and practice and use of sanitary napkins ensured for the young girls.

By promoting the use of sanitary napkins, there is a direct impact on women’s health through safe personal hygiene practices thereby improving health. Sanitary napkins are distributed to young girls and women. Video shows inside the mobile van help young girls in schools and women in villages are made aware on several health topics.

More than 1.8 lakh adolescent girls have been benefitted till date.

The Outcomes are as under:

  • Adolescent girls were sensitized on their health through different intervention like Hemoglobin test, Health Quiz and basic hygiene through interactive Touch Screen Facility and counselling.
  • 98% reduction in severe anaemic cases in Banarpal Block since inception.
  • 92% reduction from severe to moderate cases in Angul and Banarpal.
  • 93% moderate to normal since inception.