Tehran – With the support of the Ministry of Health, approximately 40% of girls in secondary schools and high schools receive iron and vitamin D supplements.
This program is intended to address iron and vitamin D defects. The iron supplement program lasts for 16 weeks, with target students taking one pill each week, while the vitamin D supplement program lasts for nine months. Each month, students are given vitamin D tablets (including 50,000 international units), Isna reports.
The Ministry of Health will also implement other programs, including health screening for fourth, seventh and tenth grade students. So far, over 60% of students have been screened. The program will continue until the end of the first month of winter on January 20th.
10th grade students will be provided with a vaccine combination, providing free protection against difteria, pertussis, and tetanus (rock jaw).
The iron supply program began 23 years ago at girls’ high schools.
Iron deficiency causes anemia. Disrupts concentrations, negatively affects learning ability, leads to fatigue, and weakens the immune system. In addition to taking supplements, it is also recommended to consume iron-rich diets such as meat and legumes.
Reports on the iron supply programme increased from 57% in Iran in 1400 (March 2021 to March 2022) to 91% in 1402 (March 2023 – 2024).
The Vitamin D Supplement Program was launched nationwide in 2014. “In the past three years, coverage of the program has skyrocketed from 51% to 80%, indicating effective cooperation between the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and parents,” Esmaeilzadeh said.
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