Anaemia in India
Published on 17 Feb 2025
A condition in which the number of red blood cells or their oxygen-carrying capacity is insufficient to meet physiological needs. The prevalence of anaemia as per NFHS-5, is 57% in women (15 to 49 age group) and 67.1% in children (6 to 59 months).
Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anaemia, although other conditions such as folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin A deficiencies, chronic inflammation and inherited disorders can cause anaemia.
Impact of anaemia on the Indian population
✔ Impact on women: Women, particularly pregnant women, are at a higher risk of anaemia due to increased iron requirements during pregnancy. It can lead to adverse outcomes such as low birth weight, preterm birth and maternal mortality.
● Example: As per research conducted in low and middle-income countries, the risk of clinical haemorrhage was 6.2% in women with moderate anaemia and 11.2% in women with severe anaemia.
✔ Cognitive development: Iron deficiency during critical periods of brain development in children may lead to impaired cognitive function, affecting their learning abilities
✔ Economic impact: Anaemia can reduce productivity and economic potential at both individual and societal levels.
● Example: As per NITI Aayog, physical and cognitive losses due to iron deficiency and anaemia cost developing countries a loss of around 4.5%.
✔ Healthcare burden: The condition often requires medical intervention, including iron supplementation and nutritional education programs. Treating anaemia and its complications can strain healthcare resources.
● Example: The mean estimated blood loss post-delivery was 301 mL for women with moderate anaemia and 340 mL for those with severe anaemia. They require more hospitalization care and attention.
✔ Interconnection with other health issues: Anaemia can get interconnected with other health issues such as malnutrition or other infectious diseases, causing serious health impacts.
● Example: Research has proved the interrelationship between anaemia and chronic periodontitis.
Challenges faced by India in curbing anaemia
✔ Limited dietary diversity: Reliance on staple foods, that may be low in essential nutrients, contributes to anaemia and promoting diversified and balanced diets can be challenging particularly in regions with limited agricultural diversity.
● Example: Iron supplying food like meat, seafood, nuts, legumes, and dark leafy green vegetables are not much represented in an average Indian diet.
✔ Poor access to healthcare: Limited access to healthcare facilities particularly in rural and remote areas, hampers the early detection and treatment of anaemia.
● Example: According to various research, anaemia among tribal women varied between 70% to 90%, mainly due to lack of early detection and care.
✔ Water, sanitation and hygiene issues: Poor water quality, inadequate sanitation and hygiene practices can contribute to infections and parasitic diseases further exacerbating anaemia.
✔ Limited awareness: Lack of awareness about the causes, consequences and prevention of anaemia is a significant challenge.
● Example: As per the Health Ministry, around 90% of pregnant women were provided with IFA tablets, but only 26% consumed the complete doses of tablets.
✔ Cost of treatment: The cost of supplements or medications for anaemia may be a barrier, especially for economically disadvantaged individuals.
● Example: Treatment of aplastic anaemia can cost between 8 lakhs to 15 lakhs in India.
Way forward
✔ Nutritional education: Promote nutritional education programs to encourage a diverse and balanced diet, especially in vulnerable populations.
✔ Public health campaigns and awareness: Implement targeted public health campaigns to raise awareness about the causes, consequences and preventive measures for anaemia.
✔ Maternal and child health program: With a focus on early detection and management of anaemia during pregnancy and early childhood. Provide antenatal care services, nutritional counselling, and iron supplementation to pregnant women.
✔ School health programs: Integrate anaemia prevention programs into school health initiatives, provide nutritious meals in schools and educate children and parents about the importance of a healthy diet.
A comprehensive and sustained effort, involvement of multiple stakeholders and a long-term commitment like Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB), and Weekly Iron and Folic acid supplementation (WIFS) can reduce the prevalence of anaemia in India.