Lok Sabha Question No. 3160 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-09
Subject: Anaemia Mukt Bharat
Ministry: AYUSH
Asked by: Shri Arvind Ganpat Sawant, Shri Shrirang Appa Chandu Barne

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3160 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2024

## Anaemia Mukt Bharat

## 3160    Shri Arvind Ganpat Sawant: Shri Shrirang Appa Chandu Barne:

Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  Anaemia  in  the  adolescence  causes  reduced  physical  and  mental  capacity  and diminished concentration in work and educational performance and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether traditional systems of medicine in India are the integral part of the healthcare in the primary health settings in the country and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government proposes to introduce AYUSH systems for a cost-effective solution to tackle Anaemia;

(d)  if  so,  whether  his  Ministry  has  signed  any  Memorandum  of  Understanding  (MoU) to  make India free of Anaemia; and

(e) if so, the details thereof alongwith the other steps taken by the Government to achieve the goal of 'Anaemia Mukt Bharat'?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYUSH (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

- (a)    Anaemia in adolescents can reduce physical and mental capacity, leading to:
- i. Physical Impact: Increased fatigue, weakness and decreased exercise tolerance.
- ii. Mental Impact: Poor concentration, memory issues and mood swings.
- iii. Educational  and  Work  Performance:  Lower  academic  achievement  and  productivity  by reducing  concentration,  memory  and  overall  productivity  due  to  fatigue  and  congnitive difficulties.

(b) Government of India has adopted a strategy of  Co-location of Ayush facilities  at  Primary Health  Centres  (PHCs),  Community  Health  Centres  (CHCs)  and  District  Hospitals  (DHs),  thus enabling the choice to the patients for different systems of medicines under a single window. The

engagement of Ayush doctors/ paramedics and their training is being supported by the Ministry of Health  &  Family  Welfare  under  National  Health  Mission  (NHM),  while  the  support  for  Ayush infrastructure, equipment/ furniture and medicines is being provided by the Ministry of Ayush under National Ayush Mission (NAM), as shared responsibilities.

(c) Ayush  system,  backed  by  evidence  from  institutions  like  ICMR,  offers  cost-effective solution  to  tackle  anaemia.  Further,  the  Central  Council  for  Research  in  Ayurvedic  Sciences (CCRAS) has good level of experience in this field. Besides conducting clinical trials, the public health  initiatives  like,  National  campaign  on  Anaemia  control  through  Ayurveda  conducted  at health centres in the country and; a multi-level operational study at PHCs in the Gadchiroli District regarding effectiveness of Ayurvedic Interventions for Ante-Natal care (Garbhini Paricharya) with change in haemoglobin level as an outcome are already implemented successfully by CCRAS.

(d) A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Ayush and Ministry of Women and Child Development on 26-02-2024 with the objective to provide evidence based  Ayurveda  interventions  to  improve  the  nutritional  status  and  prevention  of  Anaemia  in adolescent girls (14yrs-18yrs)  in the five identified districts viz.  Dhubri,  Bastar,  Paschimi Singhbhum, Gadchiroli and Doulpur from the states of Assam, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and  Rajasthan  respectively  under  Mission  Utkarsh.  Central  Council  for  Research  in  Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) under Ministry of Ayush is the coordinating agency for implementation of this project.

(e) The Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM) has undertaken research on the validation of efficacy and safety of certain pharmacopoeial formulations in anaemia.

The Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy has undertaken studies in the treatment of Iron deficiency Anaemia in children (Randomised parallel arm study), Comparative efficiency of individualised Homoeopathic medicine for anaemia in adolescents.

Further,  Mission  Saksham  Anganwadi  and  Mission  Poshan  2.0  focusses  on  maternal Nutrition, infant and young child feeding norms, treatment of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) and wellness through Ayush practices to reduce wasting and underweight prevalence beside stunting and anaemia. Nutritional  support  through  Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) is one of the integral components of Mission Poshan 2.0 under which supplementary  nutrition  is  provided  to  children  (06  months  to  06  years),  pregnant  women  and lactating mothers (PWLM) and Adolescent Girls (14-18 years) in aspirational districts and NorthEast States primarily to bridg the gap in the intake of nutrients.

Also,  fortified  rice  is  being  supplied  to Anganwadi  Centres  to  meet  the  requirement  of micro-nutrients and control anaemia among women and children. Greater emphasis is being given on the use of millets for preparation of Hot Cooked Meal to Jan Andolan to educate the people on nutritional aspects. States and Union Territories are conducting and reporting regular sensitisation activities under community engagement programmes during Poshan Maahs and Poshan Pakhwadas celebrated in the months of Sepember and March-April respectively. Ministry of Women and Child Development have also undertaken dedicated anaemia related themes to give high importance to issues around Anaemia under Poshan Abhiyan.

*****