Anaemia

Subject : Science and Technology

Section: Health

Concept :

Anaemia in India has gained attention with the proposal to remove an anaemia-related question from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) and replace it with a more extensive Diet and Biomarker (DAB) survey.
A study recommending lower haemoglobin norms for India has faced criticism from nutritionists and obstetricians and gynaecologists, highlighting the importance of well-informed policies.
A multi-country study in The Lancet emphasised the need for informed anaemia measurement, handling, and interventions in India.

Anaemia

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), anaemia is a condition in which the number of red blood cells or the haemoglobin concentration within them is lower than normal.
Haemoglobin is needed to carry oxygen and if there are too few red blood cells or not enough haemoglobin, there will be a decreased capacity of the blood to carry oxygen to the body’s tissues, resulting in symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, dizziness and shortness of breath among others.
Cause:
Anaemia, according to WHO, may be caused by several factors. The most common nutritional cause of anaemia is iron deficiency although deficiencies in folate, vitamins B12 and A are also important causes.

Inclusion of Anaemia in new Survey- Diet and Biomarkers Survey in India (DABS-I)

Though anaemia is being dropped from the NFHS, it will be covered in a new survey that was launched in 2022.
The new survey called the Diet and Biomarkers Survey in India (DABS-I) is to be conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) and funded by ICMR.
It is meant to map the diet, nutrition and health status, and provide a correct estimate of anaemia among urban and rural populations using venous samples.
The study is expected to provide nutrient composition data on cooked and uncooked foods from all regions and states of the country by collecting food samples from households.
It is expected to reflect not only intake but also nutrient metabolism, bioavailability, and effects of diet on physiological and disease processes.
According to some experts, DABS is envisaged as a periodic survey, but there has been no firm commitment from the government on this. A lot could depend on the success or failure of the first survey.