Consider the following statements in the context interventions being undertaken under Anaemia Mukt Bharat Strategy:

1. It provides prophylactic calcium supplementation for pre-school children, adolescents and pregnant women.
2. It runs a campaign for delayed cord clamping at the time of child-birth.
3. It provides for periodic deworming to children and adolescents.
4. It addresses non-nutritional causes of anaemia in endemic pockets with special focus on malaria, hemoglobinopathies and fluorosis.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All four

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• Anaemia is a condition in which the number of red blood cells or their oxygen-carrying capacity is insufficient to meet the body’s physiological requirements, which vary by age, sex, altitude, smoking habits, and during pregnancy. In 2018, the Government of India launched the Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) strategy with the target to reduce anaemia in the vulnerable age groups, such as women, children and adolescents in a life cycle approach, providing preventive and curative mechanisms through a 6X6X6 strategy including six target beneficiaries, six interventions and six institutional mechanisms for all stakeholders to implement the strategy.
• Under the AMB strategy, the interventions for tackling the problem of anaemia in all the States and UTs include:
  • Prophylactic Iron (not Prophylactic calcium) and Folic Acid Supplementation in all six target age groups.

Statements 2 and 3 are correct

• Intensified year-round Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) Campaign for:(a) improving compliance to Iron Folic Acid supplementation and deworming, (b) enhancing appropriate infant and young child feeding practices, (c) encouraging increase in intake of iron-rich food through diet diversity/quantity/frequency and/or fortified foods with focus on harnessing locally available resources, and (d) ensuring delayed cord clamping after delivery (by 3 minutes) in health facilities
• Testing and treatment of anaemia, using digital methods and point of care treatment, with special focus on pregnant women and school-going adolescents.

Statement 4 is correct

• Addressing non-nutritional causes of anaemia in endemic pockets with special focus on malaria, hemoglobinopathies and fluorosis
• Management of severe anaemia in pregnant women is undertaken by administration of IV Iron Sucrose/Blood transfusion
• Providing incentives to the ANM for identification and follow-up of pregnant women with severe anaemia in high priority districts (HPDs)
• Training and orientation of Medical Officers and front-line workers on newer Maternal Health and Anaemia Mukt Bharat guidelines
• Field-level awareness by ASHAs through community mobilisation activities and IEC and BCC activities

Answer: (c) Only three; Difficulty Level: Hard