Deal with adolescent anemia

New Delhi, Apr 23 (UNI) In view of high maternal and child mortality due to very high rate of anaemia, a 12 by 12 Initiative is being launched today in the country to ensure that every child till the age of 12 years has haemoglobin of 12g%.

This innovative initiative is jointly being taken by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, WHO, FOGSI and UNICEF along with other partners as there was no appropriate anaemia control programme for adolescents in any country.

The initiative would focus on awareness and correction of iron deficiency anaemia during adolescence which would go a long way in improving health of the future parents.

Iron-deficiency-anaemia is the commonest medical disorder in pregnancy, adversely affecting maternal and fetal health. Despite several national programmes targeted at the control and treatment of anaemia during pregnancy, the success has not been as anticipated, since the majority of women came late to the medical facilities.

Poor nutritional status and anaemia in pregnancy have consequences that extend over generations. Girls born underweight are at risk of producing small, premature infants themselves.

Adolescent anaemia is easy to diagnose and easy to treat. Yet it is rampant and not being identified. Majority is not even aware of haemoglobin or iron deficiency resulting in colossal economic and public health costs.

Anaemia is a silent epidemic, but a preventable condition. The 12 by 12 initiative for controlling adolescent anemia is an implementable, effective and sustainable nation building exercise with far reaching benefits in terms of safe motherhood and healthier future generations.

Even the National Health Survey data has revealed that the anaemia was prevalent among children and pregnant mothers of the country resulting in high rate of maternal and infant mortality. By effectively dealing with anaemia, the country could make a way forward in achieving its Millennium Development Goals.