India’s Fight Against Anemia | 22 Apr 2025

Source: PIB 

Why in News? 

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare released a progress update on the Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) campaign, highlighting India’s sustained efforts to combat anemia, a major public health challenge. 

What is Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) Campaign? 

• About: It was launched in 2018 with the aim to reduce anemia through a 6x6x6 framework. It highlights major statistics from NFHS-5, including 67.1% of children and 59.1% of adolescent girls being anemic. 
  • The 6x6x6 framework targets 6 vulnerable groups with 6 key interventions through 6 institutional mechanisms to reduce anemia prevalence. 
  • 6 Key interventions:  
    • Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation: Age-appropriate Iron-Folic Acid (IFA) supplements are provided, with biweekly IFA syrup for children aged 6-59 months and weekly tablets for other groups. 
    • Deworming: Biannual deworming for children and adolescents (1-19 years) and antenatal deworming for pregnant women. 
    • Behavior Change Campaigns: Year-round campaigns focusing on key behaviors to combat anemia. 
    • Anemia Testing and Treatment: Use of digital methods for anemia screening, with special attention to pregnant women and adolescents. 
    • Fortification of Foods: Mandatory fortification of foods with Iron and Folic Acid in government programs. 
    • Awareness and Treatment for Non-Nutritional Causes: Special focus on malaria, hemoglobinopathies, and fluorosis in endemic areas. 
• Progress Under AMB: 

What is Anemia? 

• About:  Anemia is a condition primarily caused by iron deficiency, leading to low hemoglobin levels and reduced oxygen supply to organs, resulting in fatigue, weakness, and impaired physical and cognitive function. 
  • According to the WHO, women in the reproductive age group and having haemoglobin levels lower than 12 grams per decilitre (g / dL), as well as children under 5 with haemoglobin levels lower than 11.0 g / dL are considered anaemic. 

• Vulnerability & Impact: Children under 5 (especially those under 2 years), adolescent girls, menstruating women, and pregnant and postpartum women are more vulnerable. 
  • Anemia causes Impair cognitive and motor development in infants and early children. In adults, it decreases work capacity. During pregnancy, it can lead to perinatal loss, prematurity, and low birth weight babies. 
• Extent in India and Globally: Globally, 40% of children (6–59 months), 37% of pregnant women, and 30% of non-pregnant women (15–49 years) are affected by anemia.  
  • In 2019, anemia caused a loss of 50 million years of healthy life, primarily due to iron deficiency, thalassemia, sickle cell trait, and malaria. 

• WHO Response: WHO has included anemia reduction as one of the 6 key targets in the Global Nutrition Targets and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  
  • At the 2021 Nutrition for Growth Summit, WHO committed to developing a multisectoral framework for anemia prevention, diagnosis, and management, alongside UNICEF's Anaemia Action Alliance. 
  • WHO Global Nutrition Targets for 2025 (6 Key Goals): 
    • Reduce stunting in children under 5 by 40% 
    • Reduce anemia in women of reproductive age by 50% 
    • Reduce low birth weight by 30% 
    • Reduce childhood wasting to below 5% 
    • Increase exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months to 50% 
    • Prevent childhood obesity. 

Conclusion: 

India’s resolve to eliminate anemia reflects its broader commitment to inclusive and preventive public health. The Anemia Mukt Bharat strategy has made significant strides in reaching women, children, and adolescents through Iron-Folic Acid supplementation, deworming, etc. By focusing on the most vulnerable like girls, mothers, and young children, India is actively addressing the root causes of intergenerational malnutrition and promoting long-term human development.