AnemiaPhone: Low-Cost Technology for Detecting Iron Deficiency Integrated into ICMR Programs

Sub : Sci

Sec :Health

Why in News

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has adopted AnemiaPhone, a low-cost, innovative technology developed by researchers at Cornell University, to strengthen its initiatives for combating anemia, especially among pregnant women, and enhancing maternal and child health outcomes.

AnemiaPhone Technology:

Detects iron deficiency quickly, accurately, and affordably.
Designed for use at the point of need, enabling rapid screening and diagnosis.
Requires a small finger prick and a drop of blood on a test strip, similar to at-home COVID-19 tests.
Results are analysed within minutes using a
Information is uploaded to a clinical database via mobile phones, tablets, or computers.
Enables healthcare workers to interpret results, provide guidance, and offer immediate interventions.

About 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.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), women in the reproductive age group and having haemoglobin levels lower than 12 grams per decilitre (g / dL), as well as children under five with haemoglobin levels lower than 0 g / dL are considered anaemic.