Joint Initiative Targets Anaemia Control in Five Aspirational Districts
The Ministry of Ayush (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) and the Ministry of Women and Child Development signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, to address the critical issue of anaemia in adolescent girls. This joint public health initiative is named “Anaemia Control among adolescent girls using Ayurveda interventions in the five districts under Mission Utkarsh.”
Focus on Five Aspirational Districts:
The MoU was signed in the presence of Union Minister of Ayush, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, and Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Smriti Irani. In the first phase, the program will focus on improving the anaemic status of adolescent girls (aged 14-18) in five aspirational districts across five states:
- Assam – Dhubri
- Chhattisgarh – Bastar
- Jharkhand – Paschimi Singhbhum
- Maharashtra – Gadchiroli
- Rajasthan – Dhaulpur
Reaching 95,000 Girls:
This project aims to improve the nutritional status of approximately 95,000 adolescent girls in these high-burden anaemia districts, where the average prevalence is around 69.5%. The initiative will cover roughly 10,000 Anganwadi Centres in these five districts.
Collaboration for a Healthy Future:
Speaking at the event, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal emphasized the collaborative effort between the ministries to achieve an “Anaemia Mukt Bharat” (Anaemia Free India). He highlighted the project’s alignment with Mission Utkarsh, aiming to bring these aspirational districts up to the national average on key performance indicators.
Ayush: A Cost-Effective Solution:
Smt. Smriti Irani emphasized the potential of Ayush systems, backed by evidence-based research, to offer a cost-effective solution for tackling anaemia. She highlighted the project’s global significance due to its large-scale implementation, time-bound outcomes, and potential for contributing to global health knowledge.
Addressing Malnutrition:
Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush, highlighted the detrimental effects of anaemia on adolescent girls’ physical and mental well-being and future motherhood. He emphasized the role of traditional medicine systems in primary healthcare settings.
Synergy with Existing Programs:
Shri Indewar Pandey, Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, highlighted their existing efforts to address malnutrition in children, adolescent girls, and pregnant women through programs like “Saksham Anganwadi” and “Poshan.” He emphasized the importance of focusing on girls in this age group to ensure future generations of healthy mothers and children. He also mentioned their successful collaboration with Ayush on over 2.7 crore Ayush-based activities during “Poshan Maah” and “Poshan Pakhwada.”
Leveraging Expertise:
The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) brings valuable experience to this initiative. They have a proven track record in conducting clinical trials and implementing successful public health programs related to anaemia control and antenatal care using Ayurvedic interventions.
Prominent Attendees:
The event was also attended by Prof. Ravi Narayan Acharya, Director General of CCRAS, Pushpa Chaudhary (Team Lead, Reproductive, Maternal, Child and Adolescent health, WHO), Dr. Rajeev Bahl (DG, ICMR), and other dignitaries.
This joint initiative by the Ministry of Ayush and the Ministry of Women and Child Development represents a significant step forward in addressing the challenge of anaemia in adolescent girls and promoting their overall health and well-being.