As per National Family Health Survey (NFHS) – III (2005-06), prevalence of anaemia in women is 55.3%. The steps taken by Government to prevent and treat anaemia amongst women are as follows:
1. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 2013 launched “National Iron Plus Initiative” as a comprehensive strategy to combat the public health challenge of Iron Deficiency Anaemia prevalent across the life cycle. There are age specific interventions with Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation and Deworming for improving the haemoglobin levels and reducing the prevalence of anaemia for all age groups, that is children 6-59 months, 5 – 10 years, adolescent girls and boys (11-19 years), pregnant and lactating women and women in reproductive age group (20 – 49 years).
2. Universal screening of pregnant women for anaemia is a part of ante-natal care and all pregnant women are provided iron and folic acid tablets during their ante-natal visits through the existing network of sub-centers and primary health centres and other health facilities as well as through outreach activities at Village Health & Nutrition Days (VHNDs).
3. Every pregnant woman is given iron and folic acid, after the first trimester, to be taken 1 tablet daily for 6 months during ante-natal and post-natal period. Pregnant women, who are found to be clinically anaemic, are given additional tablet for taking two tablets daily.
4. Government of India has given directions to the States for identification and tracking of severely anaemic cases at all the sub centres and PHCs for their timely management.
5. Health and nutrition education through IEC & BCC to promote dietary diversification, inclusion of iron folate rich food as well as food items that promotes iron absorption.
6. To tackle the problem of anemia due to malaria particularly in pregnant women and children, Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLINs) and Insecticide Treated Bed Nets (ITBNs) are being distributed in endemic areas.
7. Health management information system & Mother Child tracking system is being implemented for reporting the cases of anemic and severely anaemic pregnant women.
8. MCP Card and Safe Motherhood Booklet are being distributed to the pregnant women for educating them on dietary diversification and promotion of consumption of IFA.
9. 184 High Priority Districts (HPDs) have been identified and prioritized for Reproductive Maternal Newborn Child Health+ Adolescent (RMNCH+A) interventions for achieving improved maternal and child health outcomes.
