India with the world’s largest adolescent population susceptible to Anemia  is leading a large-scale and targeted fight against anemia.

About Anemia

• Anemia is a condition marked by low hemoglobin levels, reducing the blood’s ability to carry oxygen to the body’s organs.
• It is primarily caused by iron deficiency but can also result from a lack of folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin A.
• Vulnerable Groups: Infants, children under 5, adolescent girls, pregnant and postpartum women are most susceptible to anemia.
  • As per WHO estimates( 2019)about  500 million women (aged 15–49) and 269 million children under 5 suffer from anemia globally.
  • About 30% of non-pregnant women and 37% of pregnant women worldwide are anemic.
• Health Impact: Anemia impairs cognitive and motor development in children, reduces work capacity in adults, and increases risks during pregnancy such as low birth weight and preterm delivery.

Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB)

• Launched in 2018, AMB is a flagship initiative to reduce anemia prevalence across age groups using a 6x6x6 strategy.

Other Government Initiatives to Tackle Anemia

• Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS): This initiative provides weekly Iron and Folic Acid tablets to adolescents aged 10–19 years to reduce the prevalence and severity of anemia.
• Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA): It offers free, assured, quality antenatal care to pregnant women on the 9th of every month, ensuring early detection and treatment of anemia and other complications.
• Integration with Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB): Both WIFS and PMSMA are key components of AMB, supporting India’s life-cycle approach to preventing and treating anemia among women and adolescents.

Achievements in addressing Anemia issue

• In Q2 of FY 2024–25, 15.4 crore children and adolescents received IFA supplementation.
• Real-time data tracking of anemia screening and supplies has improved efficiency.
• AMB has integrated health, nutrition, and education platforms to deliver a life-cycle approach to anemia management.

Challenges in Addressing Anemia

• High Prevalence: NFHS-5 reports show 67.1% of children and 59.1% of adolescent girls in India are anemic.
• Poor Nutrition: 3 in 4 Indian women consume inadequate dietary iron.
• Socioeconomic Barriers: Early pregnancies, poor maternal care, and limited access to iron-rich foods remain major issues.
• Implementation Gaps: Inconsistent delivery of supplements and awareness at local levels affect outcomes.
• Non-Nutritional Causes: Conditions like malaria and fluorosis remain under-addressed in certain regions.

Way Forward

• Strengthen Last-Mile Delivery: Ensure consistent supply and distribution of IFA and deworming interventions.
• Enhance Community Awareness: Continue behaviour change campaigns that focus on nutrition and anemia prevention.
• Expand Digital Monitoring: Use tech-enabled tools to improve screening, tracking, and timely treatment.
• Target Root Causes: Integrate nutrition interventions with broader strategies addressing poverty, sanitation, and women’s empowerment.
• Sustain Political and Financial Commitment: Long-term investments in public health and nutrition are vital to eliminate anemia.