The Anaemia Mukt Bharat Programme was launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, to accelerate the decline of anaemia in various age groups by intensifying strong initiatives to further strengthen the already present mechanisms as well as develop new ones to reduce anaemia. It was first launched in 1970 as the National Nutritional Anaemia Prophylaxis Programme (NNAPP) and in 2018 changed the programme’s name to Anaemia Mukt Bharat.
The Anaemia Mukt Bharat programme divides its target group into six beneficiary groups via the means of six interventions and six institutional mechanisms to achieve its goal of reducing anaemia under the POSHAN Abhiyan.
IAS aspirants must also go through the List of Government Schemes in India at the linked article. It is important from the current affairs perspective of the UPSC preparation.
This strategic health initiative of the GoI is important for UPSC 2022.
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There are various important government initiatives which are to be read for the UPSC preparation. Check links below to learn about some similar government missions/schemes: |
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Objectives of the Anaemia Mukt Bharat Programme
As the name suggests, Anaemia Mukt Bharat is a strategic approach to reduce anaemia in various groups of people. It is a primary objective of the POSHAN Abhiyan that was launched in March 2018. The programme strategy was designed to help reduce anaemia by three percentage points per year in adults, children, and adolescents in a span of four years from 2018 to 2022.
The strategy aims to realize the target set by the POSHAN Abhiyan and the National Nutrition Strategy as per the NITI Aayog. You must know this for your IAS preparation.
Anaemia Mukt Bharat Programme Targets and Beneficiaries for 2022
As for 2022, it is estimated that the strategy will reach out to 450 million beneficiaries from various target groups. These beneficiaries are divided into seven categories in accordance to their age groups and sex:
- Children (6-59 months): Total Beneficiaries: 124 million
- Children (5-9 years): Total Beneficiaries: 134 million
- Adolescent boys (10-19 years): Total Beneficiaries: 47 million
- Adolescent girls (10-19 years): Total Beneficiaries: 68 million
- Women of reproductive age (20-24 years): Total Beneficiaries: 17 million
- Pregnant women: Total Beneficiaries: 30 million
- Lactating women: Total Beneficiaries: 27 million
The total number of beneficiaries and the target groups of the Anaemia Mukt Bharat programme is an essential part of current affairs and, thus, must be studied thoroughly.
The estimated number of beneficiaries is revised annually, and the primary focuses of the Anaemia Mukt Bharat are children and pregnant women. This strategy to reduce anaemia will be implemented throughout all states and union territories, including villages, blocks, and districts.
Anaemia Mukt Bharat Strategic Interventions
Several interventions have been made to lessen anaemia incidences in India as part of the programme:
- Prophylactic iron and Folic Acid Supplementation: Administering iron and folic acid supplements daily to make up for the absence of the same in the body
- Deworming: Administering drugs like an anthelmintic drug to rid the body of parasitic worms like roundworms, flukes, and tapeworms.
- Campaign to practice proper behaviour: This includes practices such as developing more compliance to take iron and folic acid supplements and medicines to help to deworming and help maintain proper body iron levels, conducting workshops to develop and learn about proper infant and young feeding practices, increasing the intake of iron-rich food via a diverse diet etc. The programme ensures that cold clamping is delayed after delivery in all the health facilities.
- Diagnosing and treating anaemia using advanced and digitized methods for early diagnostics, with a special focus on pregnant women and children.
- Mandating the availability of iron and folic acid fortified foods in most of the public health programmes that the government funds
- Last but not least, raising awareness among the common people about the various causes of anaemia and its treatment.
These interventions are very important and, therefore, must be included in your UPSC notes.
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Frequently Asked Questions on on the Anaemia Mukt Bharat Programme
What is Anaemia?
Anaemia is a condition when the blood does not have enough red blood cells, which leads to a reduced flow of oxygen throughout the body. The main cause for anaemia is iron deficiency, and symptoms may include fatigue, shortness of breath, and skin pallor, among others.
What is the POSHAN Abhiyan?
Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the 8th of March 2018 in the Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan, the POSHAN Abhiyan focuses on achieving its goal of improving the nutritional status of five different groups: i) children (0-6 years), ii) adolescent girls, iii) pregnant women and iv) lactating mothers. The POSHAN initiative is a three-year-long programme that ensures a holistic approach and aims to cover all 36 states and union territories.
What is the main function of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare?
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is a ministry of the Indian Government tasked with the job to look after the health policy in India. The body is also responsible for all government family planning programmes in India.
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