Reduction of Anemia is prioritized by the Govt. under the recently launched POSHAN Abhiyaan as it aims to reduce anaemia prevalence by 3 percent per year among children, adolescents, women in reproductive age group and pregnant women between the year 2018 and 2022. In this regard, AnemiaMukt Bharat (AMB) Strategy has been formulated (also known as Intensified National Iron Plus Initiative) for holistic and comprehensive management of anemia among the six target age groups including women in reproductive age group.
Guidelines have been issued to the States/UTs for universal screening of pregnant women at all health facilities.180 Iron and folic acid (IFA) tablets are given in the ante natal and 180 IFA tablets are given in the post-natal period to all pregnant women. If pregnant women are found to be clinically anemic, they are given double doses of tablets as a part of treatment regimen. For Adolescent girls of 10-19 years of age weekly iron folic acid is provided throughout.
To address anaemia due to worm infestation, deworming of pregnant women is done after first trimester of pregnancy and biannually in Adolescents.
To tackle the problem of anemia due to malaria particularly in women and children, Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLINs) and Insecticide Treated Bed Nets (ITBNs) are being distributed in endemic areas.
Health and nutrition education through Information, Education and Communication (IEC) material in the form of posters, hoardings, wall-writings and audio-visuals is undertaken.
Nutritional Rehabilitation Centres
Under National Health Mission (NHM) 1151 NRCs have been established all across the country to provide facility based care for children with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and medical complications. As per National Family Health Survey (NFHS 4, 2015-16), 7.5% of under five children are severely wasted and 35.8% of children are underweight.
Children with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) along with medical complications are referred from villages by frontline workers such ASHA and Anganwadi workers and admitted to NRCs as per the defined admission criteria. In order to improve their health condition, medical and nutritional therapeutic care is provided during NRC stay.
As per report received from States/ UTs, 1.86 lakhs under five children were admitted in the NRCs in the year of 2017-18, out of which 1.17 lakhs children were discharged with target weight gain.
Regular and periodic review of NRC functionality is carried out under child health programme by central and State Government teams including through Common Review Mission visits. Accordingly, specific recommendations are provided for improvement of NRC functionality and quality of service delivery.