The Indian government introduced the Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) strategy in 2018 with one main objective — to significantly reduce anaemia among vulnerable groups such as children, women, and adolescents. This life cycle-based strategy relies on a 6X6X6 model which incorporates six target beneficiary segments, six specific interventions, and six institutional mechanisms. These elements work together to form a robust framework for all stakeholders involved in the implementation of the AMB strategy.
What is Anaemia?
Anaemia is a health condition that arises when there’s an insufficient number of red blood cells or when these cells lack the necessary oxygen-carrying capacity to meet physiological needs. Various factors influence these needs including age, sex, altitude, smoking habits, and pregnancy status. Although iron deficiency is the most common cause of anaemia, several other issues can lead to this condition. These include vitamin A, B12, and folate deficiencies, chronic inflammation, inherited disorders, and parasitic infections. Anaemia can lead to fatigue, weakness, dizziness, and drowsiness, and pregnant women and children are especially susceptible.
Anaemia Prevalence in India
The National Family Health Survey 2019-20 shed light on the overwhelming prevalence of anaemia among Indian women and children. During the first phase of the survey, 22 states and UTs were analysed. In most of these regions, over half of the women and children were found to be anaemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies women of reproductive age with haemoglobin levels less than 12 grams per decilitre (g/dL), as well as children under five with haemoglobin levels lesser than 11.0 g/dL as anaemic.
Key Elements of the AMB Strategy
The specifics of the AMB strategy are essential to understanding how the Indian government plans to tackle anaemia. However, due to the large scope of the topic, an in-depth discussion of each element exceeds the word limit.
Additional Government Interventions for Anaemia Control
As health is a subject primarily managed by individual State/UT governments, they hold the primary responsibility for boosting health care services, which also includes implementation of national programs. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, on its part, offers financial and technical support to States/UTs under the National Health Mission. A few key initiatives include:
1. Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS): This program aims to reduce the high occurrence of anaemia among adolescent boys and girls through the supervised weekly intake of Iron Folic Acid (IFA) tablets, and biannual deworming with Albendazole.
2. Health Management Information System & Mother Child Tracking System: These systems facilitate the reporting and tracking of anaemic and severely anaemic pregnant women.
3. Universal Screening of Pregnant Women for Anaemia: All pregnant women receive iron and folic acid tablets during their ante-natal visits via various health facilities and outreach activities on Village Health & Nutrition Days (VHNDs).
4. Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA): This initiative focuses on special ANC check-ups conducted monthly to detect and treat cases of anaemia.
5. Blood Banks and Storage Units: District Hospitals have activated Blood Banks and sub-district facilities such as Sub-Divisional Hospital/Community Health Centers are equipped with Blood Storage Units to manage severe anaemia complications.