Anaemia among postnatal mothers and children in Bihar, a matter of concern: Tejashwi Yadav

The high prevalence of anaemia among postnatal mothers and children aged between 6 and 59 months in Bihar is posing a challenge to health authorities, Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav said.

The high prevalence of anemia among postnatal mothers and children aged between 6 and 59 months in Bihar is posing a challenge to health authorities, Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav said. The district authorities have been instructed to create awareness among postnatal mothers about the reduction of the prevalence and severity of anemia and the positive effect of routine iron-folic acid supplementation, Yadav, who also holds the health portfolio, said in the assembly on Friday. "Nearly 63 percent of women and 69 percent of children (6 to 59 months) are anemic in the state. The coverage for anemic postnatal mothers in Bihar stands at 42.6 percent which is certainly a matter of concern. The prenatal coverage for anemia among pregnant women is 80 percent in Bihar", Yadav said.

Anaemia is a condition in which the number of red blood cells or the hemoglobin concentration within them is lower than normal. Haemoglobin is needed to carry oxygen and if it is not adequate, there is a decreased capacity of the blood to carry oxygen to the tissues in the body. Iron is a key component of hemoglobin, and the most common cause of anemia includes nutritional deficiencies, particularly iron deficiency. Diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, and parasitic infections also cause anemia. According to the Bihar Economic Survey (2022-23) report, recently tabled in the assembly, "There is an increase in the percentage of anemic children from 63.5 percent in 2015-16 to 69.4 percent in 2019-21…an increase of 5.9 percent. "Out of 38 districts in the state, three districts with a higher prevalence of anemia among the children aged between 6 and 59 months are Jamui (81.9 percent), Nalanda (80.3 percent), and Sheikhpura (80.01 percent). "Three districts with the lowest prevalence of anemia are Gopalganj (56.1 percent), East Champaran (61.0 percent), and West Champaran (61.6 percent)". Anaemia can result in maternal mortality, weakness, diminished physical and mental capacity, increased morbidity from infectious diseases, perinatal mortality, premature delivery, and low birth weight, and, in children, it can affect cognitive performance, motor development, and scholastic achievement.