A Study to Assess the Healthcare Delivery System Under Anaemia Mukt Policy in Rural Haryana

Abstract

Anaemia is a severe problem in low and middle-income group nations, where the red blood cells ortheir oxygen-carrying capacity is not sufficient to meet the body s physiological requirements nowadays. It affects individuals across all age groups but is particularly common among women of newlinereproductive age, pregnant and lactating women, also children, and adolescents. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), anaemia affects over 1.62 billion people worldwide, with India accounting for a large proportion. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) reports that more than half of Indian women and children are anaemic. The condition is often preventable and curable, newlinebut if left unaddressed, it can lead to serious health hazards and developmental consequences. newlineRecognising the widespread impact of anaemia, governments and international organisations have prioritised anaemia control as part of their broader public health goals. In India, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had launched the Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) programme in 2018 under the POSHAN Abhiyaan to accelerate progress. The programme follows few strategies: targeting six beneficiary groups (children aged 6 59 months, school-going children, adolescents, pregnant women, lactating mothers and women of reproductive age); implementing six interventions newline(iron-folic acid supplementation, deworming, behaviour change communication, testing and newlinetreatment, food fortification, and addressing non-nutritional causes); and ensuring delivery through six institutional mechanisms across ministries and departments. newlineThis study offers valuable insights into implementation strategies, stakeholder involvement in public health programs, and the prevalence of anaemia, along with treatment compliance, through a systematic and structured approach. This research investigates the implementation of an Anaemia newlineMukt Policy in two rural villages, namely- Bhondsi and Dhankot specifically examining the active participation of women in seeking health education.