Addressing Anaemia among Pregnant Women

Under the National Health Mission (NHM), the management of nutritional anemia among pregnant and lactating women is an important intervention. The steps taken to tackle anaemia are given below:

·        Universal screening of pregnant women for anaemia is an integral part of ante-natal care, 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).

·        Every pregnant woman during ANC is given iron and folic acid (IFA) tablets for six months and six months post-partum. Pregnant women, who are found to be clinically anemic, are given double dose.

·        Health and nutrition education to promote dietary diversification, inclusion of iron folate rich food as well as food items that promote iron absorption.  

·        To tackle the problem of anaemia 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.

·        To reduce the prevalence of anemia in adolescent girls, both in and out of school, Government of India has launched a scheme of Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) all over the country.

·        Mother and Child Protection Card in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Child Development to monitor service delivery for mothers and children.

·        Non –Pregnant and Non Lactating women are given Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation

·        Engagement of 8.8 lakhs Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) to generate demand and facilitate accessing of health care services by the community.

·        Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK) has been launched on 1st June, 2011, which entitles all pregnant women delivering in public health institutions to absolutely free and no expense delivery including Caesarean section.  The initiative stipulates free drugs, diagnostics, blood and diet, besides free transport from home to institution, between facilities in case of a referral and drop back home. Similar entitlements have been put in place for all sick newborns accessing public health institutions for treatment till one year after birth.