Date:12/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/12/stories/2008121260090600.htm

Tamil Nadu

‘Madurai Marathon’ to create public awareness of anaemia

MADURAI: To create public awareness of anaemia and its ill effects on health, the Dhan Foundation along with Health Department is organising ‘Madurai Marathon’ here on January 9.

The ‘Run to be free from anaemia’ would have six marathon events in which about one lakh participants would be mobilised from various educational institutions, voluntary organisations, and Government departments, according to M. P. Vasimalai, Executive Director, Dhan Foundation.

An important component of the awareness event would be the 21-kilometre half-marathon that carries cash prizes of Rs. 25,000, Rs.15,000 and Rs.10,000.

Mr. Vasimalai said that anaemia among pregnant women should not be neglected because of a direct association between a healthy child and a non-anaemic mother.

“We want to focus from the level of adolescent girls so that they would be aware of haemoglobin level in body and the importance of taking nutritious diet,” he said. The State Health Society under the National Rural Health Mission is supporting the event.

For behavioural change

Stating that the ‘Madurai Marathon 2009’ is aimed to at sensitising the youth to the dangers of anaemia, Mr. Vasimalai said that the message should reach college students so that behavioural changes could take place among them.

The half marathon (registration fee is Rs.100) would commence at Tamukkam and proceed via K. Pudur, Surveyor Colony, Kadachanendal, Oomachikulam and other points before culminating at Tamukkam.

Simultaneously, there will be ‘walk for a cause’, mini-marathon, roller skating, walk by senior citizens and differently- abled at different points in the city.

All the events would finally culminate at Tamukkam from where the public campaign against anaemia would be carried out. The registration fee for participating in marathon events other than half-marathon is Rs.10.

A. Palanichamy, Deputy Director of Health Services, Madurai District, said that ‘post partum haemorrhage’ among pregnant women during the time of delivery was mainly due to anaemia.

“Several rural women are anaemic and they should take nutritious food like fruits/vegetables. Only then can we prevent maternal mortality,” he said.

Persons interested to participate in marathon events can contact the ‘Madurai Marathon Secretariat’ on phone number: 0452-2301509 or M. Santhanam, event coordinator and team leader on mobile: 99449-34080.

E-Mail: madurai marathon@gmail.com.