Poshan Maah 2023: Focusing on Anaemia Prevention and Awareness

The Ministry of Women and Child Development focuses on anaemia during Poshan Maah 2023. Efforts target young children, adolescent girls, pregnant and postpartum women. Activities aim to prevent intergenerational anaemia effects, engaging millions and supporting the Anaemia Mukt Bharat programme.

This year's Poshan Maah is putting a spotlight on anaemia, a central theme of the nationwide nutrition campaign, as stated by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) on Tuesday. Anaemia predominantly affects young children, adolescent girls, pregnant women, and women of reproductive age.

The ministry emphasized that adolescence presents a crucial opportunity to address nutritional deficiencies and curb the intergenerational impact of anaemia. To highlight the issue, the Ministry of WCD, in collaboration with other relevant departments, has initiated various anaemia-related themes and activities as part of mass awareness efforts in previous Jan Andolans.

During the last Poshan Maah in September 2023, more than 35 crore sensitisation activities were recorded, with around 4 crore specifically targeting anaemia. The initiative has reached over 69 lakh pregnant women, 43 lakh lactating mothers, and more than 22 lakh adolescent girls aged 14-18 years under the Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG) across Aspirational Districts and northeastern regions.

With a direct reach of over 10 crore beneficiaries and their families, the nutrition-centric Jan Andolans occur twice a year, extending to the farthest corners of the nation. Engaging adolescent girls is pivotal for accelerating efforts to combat malnutrition and support the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare's Anaemia Mukt Bharat programme.

(With inputs from agencies.)