Himachal Pradesh excels in Anemia Mukt Bharat Index
Anemia prevention and control has been the priority agenda of the State Government. Himachal Pradesh is showing a steady trend of decline in Anemia which is evident from Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) Index, 2020-2021 National rankings. State has secured 3rd position with score of 57.1 as per the rating. It is also worthwhile to note that on this score card, Himachal Pradesh was at rank 18 in the year 2018-2019 but with consistent efforts of the Government this rank has been improved to 3 in the 2020-21 AMB Index.
The program covers the age groups of children 6 to 59 months, adolescents and women of reproductive age 15 to 49 years. The Anemia Mukt Bharat aims to provide preventive and curative mechanisms through a 6×6×6 strategy including six target beneficiaries, six interventions and six institutional mechanisms, for all stakeholders to implement the strategy. The strategy emphasizes on improving supply chain, targeted monitoring and continuous social mobilization using various channels of communication. Prophylactic Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation is also being given to women and children.
With the regular deworming of the school going children being done by the State, the prevalence of Soil Transmitted Helminths has decreased from 29 percent to 0.3 percent in a short span of 3 years indicating the effectiveness and implementation of the programme. Intensified year-round Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) Campaign, testing of anemia and point of care treatment and mandatory provision of Iron and Folic Acid fortified foods in Government funded health programmes has been made for addressing non-nutritional causes of anemia.
This comprehensive strategy is expected to yield positive results in decreasing Anemia prevalence. The score card and rankings in the Anemia Mukt Bharat Index are based on certain parameters like coverage of IFA supplementation across selected target beneficiaries to support assessment of progress and performance of the programme.
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