Anemia

Context: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has highlighted India’s progress under the Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) initiative, showcasing digital innovations and a 6x6x6 strategy to combat widespread anaemia affecting women, children, and adolescents.

About Anemia:

• What it is? Anemia is a health condition where the blood lacks sufficient healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin, mainly caused by iron deficiency, reducing oxygen transport to organs.

• Anemia is a health condition where the blood lacks sufficient healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin, mainly caused by iron deficiency, reducing oxygen transport to organs.

• Key Statistics: 67.1% of children and 59.1% of adolescent girls in India are anemic (NFHS-5, 2019-21). Globally, anemia affects 500 million women (15-49 years) and 269 million children under 5 years. 3 in 4 Indian women have low dietary iron intake.

• 67.1% of children and 59.1% of adolescent girls in India are anemic (NFHS-5, 2019-21).

• Globally, anemia affects 500 million women (15-49 years) and 269 million children under 5 years.

• 3 in 4 Indian women have low dietary iron intake.

• Initiatives by Government: Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB): Launched in 2018 with a 6x6x6 strategy: *6 interventions*: IFA supplementation, deworming, fortified foods, behavior change, digital monitoring, addressing non-nutritional causes. *6 target groups*: Pre-school children, children, adolescents, pregnant women, lactating women, and women of reproductive age. *6 institutional mechanisms*: National to grassroots coordination. Digital Integration: Real-time anemia tracking through mobile tools. Linkages: Integrated with POSHAN Abhiyaan and the School Health Program.

• Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB): Launched in 2018 with a 6x6x6 strategy: *6 interventions*: IFA supplementation, deworming, fortified foods, behavior change, digital monitoring, addressing non-nutritional causes. *6 target groups*: Pre-school children, children, adolescents, pregnant women, lactating women, and women of reproductive age. *6 institutional mechanisms*: National to grassroots coordination.

• *6 interventions*: IFA supplementation, deworming, fortified foods, behavior change, digital monitoring, addressing non-nutritional causes.

• *6 target groups*: Pre-school children, children, adolescents, pregnant women, lactating women, and women of reproductive age.

• *6 institutional mechanisms*: National to grassroots coordination.

• Digital Integration: Real-time anemia tracking through mobile tools.

• Linkages: Integrated with POSHAN Abhiyaan and the School Health Program.

Relevance in UPSC Exam Syllabus:

• GS Paper 2: Issues relating to Health, Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections. Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors.

• Issues relating to Health, Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections.

• Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors.

• GS Paper 3: Public Health and Nutrition challenges. Technology missions (like digital tracking of anemia control programs).

• Public Health and Nutrition challenges.

• Technology missions (like digital tracking of anemia control programs).

• Essay and Ethics Papers: Importance of inclusive public health efforts and equity in healthcare.

• Importance of inclusive public health efforts and equity in healthcare.