ICMR initiates steps to provide easy to use non-invasive testing to tackle anaemia in India

Subject : Science and tech

Section: Health

Context:

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)initiates testing and treatment of anaemia, with a special focus on pregnant women and on school-going adolescents

Details:

Anaemia: Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells.
WHO criteria: The World Health Organization (WHO) defines anaemia as a condition when haemoglobin levels fall below 12 grams per decilitre (g/dL) for women in the reproductive age group and below 11.0 g/dL for children under five.
- The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) accepted that anaemia continued to be a major public health problem in India despite the comprehensive Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) programme.
- ICMR will employ digital methods and point-of-care treatment, focussing on pregnant women and on school-going adolescents.
Anaemia prevalence in India:
- As per the National Family Health Survey 5 (2019-21) Anemia prevalence in India is as follows:

About Test and treat strategy:

Non-invasive hemoglobinometer: For the test and treat method, a non-invasive hemoglobinometer that is user-friendly and simple enough for everyone to use is needed.
Make in India: ‘ Make in India’ non-invasive hemoglobinometer devices are available over the past few years.
Validation study: ICMR is carrying out a validation study of such non-invasive hemoglobinometer devices followed by health technology assessment for evaluating its suitability for the AMB programme

About Anemia Mukt Bharat:

Launch: The Government of India launched the Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) strategy in 2018 to reduce the prevalence of anaemia in women, children and adolescents through a life cycle approach.
Objective. The strategy aims at preventive and curative mechanisms through a 6X6X6 strategy including six target beneficiaries, six interventions and six institutional mechanisms for all stakeholders

About ICMR:

Establishment: In 1911 as Indian Research Fund Association (IRFA), later in 1949, IRFA was renamed ICMR.
Body: It is neither a statutory body nor a regulatory body. It is an Autonomous Body registered under the Society Act XXI of 1860.
Headquarters: New Delhi.
Function: It helps in the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research, and is one of the oldest medical research bodies in the world.