Despite the sturdy initiative of the Government, ‘Anaemia’ cases are on the rise in Jharkhand. Anaemia is a deficiency of red blood cells, a major cause of concern in Jharkhand. It can lead to a lack of oxygen-carrying ability, causing unusual tiredness, complications in pregnancy, and many other health problems,” said Rajiv Singh of Mission Hospital.
With an aim to root out anaemia, a screening camp was organised by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Chas to test the haemoglobin level in adolescent girls of Class VII and VIII under its ongoing ‘Health Week Programme’ on Thursday.
“Blood samples of at least 250 girls were tested in the camps in which 75 per cent of the girls detected with 8 mgs of haemoglobin while 20 per cent found with the haemoglobin level of 6 mgs or less, said Rajiv.
All girls were given iron capsules and other medicines, they were also taught the ways to eradicate anaemia, he added.
Iron deficiency anaemia is a serious public health problem that affects the ability to study and work as well as health and well-being.
It is one of the most prevalent nutritional deficiencies in the world and more than half of the population in India is anaemic.
Anaemia is most often caused by iron or folate deficiency and is especially common during pregnancy.
Though, supplementation of diets with iron and folic acid (IFA) tablets but only 22 per cent of pregnant women reported consuming IFA for 90 days or more when they were pregnant.
There are significant challenges in reaching the at-risk population as well as in managing the side effects of IFA consumption which discourage adequate intake, Rajiv said.
Many survey reveal that four out of every 10 women in Jharkhand are undernourished. About two-thirds of women in the childbearing ages are anemic and pregnant women experience the highest levels of anaemia.
It’s worth mentioning here that fifty per cent of the anemic women of the world resides in India while in Jharkhand 78 per cent adolescent girls are anaemic.