Now,quick solution for anaemia in your pocket

In an attempt to address the anaemia in the state,Mira Malhotra — a postgraduate Graphic Design student at National Institute of Design — has come up with an innovative booklet on ‘what,why and how’ to treat anaemia.

Though the state government and some NGOs distribute iron tablets to contain the epidemic,there is a perceived lack of information about the disease and how to take the iron tablets.

Malhotra,who is an anaemic herself,said even urban women are not aware how to take the iron pills.

“While looking up books on anaemia,I found that issues like pregnancy and periods are most discussed. But the truth is,anaemia is a condition in its own and is the root problem of other diseases. An anaemic mother could bear an anaemic child,who would be susceptible to hypothermia,which can be fatal,” explained Malhotra.

She added that she met health officials in V S Hospital,spoke to health workers,visited slums and then compiled her booklet. She then designed graphics that provide information on what anaemia is,what are its symptoms and how to take tablets in the most effective way.

Guided by Right to Information (RTI) logo designer Professor Tarun Deep Girdher,she tried to make the graphics in the book more versatile. For example,the woman in the booklet wears a salwaar-kameez so that both Hindu and Muslim women can relate to her.

In the booklet,she has discussed the symptoms,what food items help best to combat it and which to avoid and also how to take the iron tablet supplements. All in the space of a red and white,rectangular booklet which when folded is only 8.6 cm wide and 5.8 cm long. The booklet costs just Re 1 or Rs 2 depending on what paper is used.

Malhotra is also considering to translate the booklet in regional languages,tweaking with the graphics to make it more relevant to different communities.