Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) Abhiyan

Background

• Impaired cognitive and motor development in children
• Reduced work capacity in adults
• Perinatal loss, prematurity, and low birth weight in pregnancy

Target / Goal

The 6 x 6 x 6 Strategy

6 Beneficiary Groups (Life Cycle Approach)

6 Interventions

1. Prophylactic IFA (Iron & Folic Acid) supplementation across all target groups
   • 6-59 months: 1 ml IFA syrup biweekly (20 mg elemental iron + 100 mcg folic acid)
   • 5-9 years: 1 IFA tablet weekly (45 mg elemental iron + 400 mcg folic acid), pink
   • 10-19 years: 1 IFA tablet weekly (100 mg elemental iron + 500 mcg folic acid) - WIFS
   • Pregnant women: 1 IFA tablet daily for 180 days (from 14-16 weeks gestation)
   • Women of reproductive age (20-49 yrs, non-pregnant): 1 IFA tablet weekly, red colored (60 mg iron + 500 mcg folic acid)
2. Biannual deworming (Albendazole) for children and adolescents
3. Intensified Behavior Change Communication (BCC) - year-round campaigns for IFA compliance, IYCF (Infant & Young Child Feeding), dietary diversification, vitamin C-rich foods, delayed cord clamping
4. Testing and Treatment of anemia using digital methods - Digital Invasive Haemoglobinometer in field/HWCs; semi-auto analyzer at PHC level and above; point-of-care treatment per Anemia Management Protocols
5. Mandatory Iron & Folic Acid fortified foods in all government-funded health programmes
6. Screening and treatment of non-nutritional causes - malaria, hemoglobinopathies (thalassemia, sickle cell), fluorosis in endemic areas

6 Institutional Mechanisms

1. State-level review meetings on AMB
2. District/block-level monthly review meetings
3. AMB Dashboard and digital portal for real-time HMIS monitoring
4. Ensuring no supply chain ruptures - uninterrupted IFA supplies to the last mile
5. Field visits to high-anemia districts (based on NFHS-5 data)
6. Strengthening monitoring and evaluation through key performance indicators

Programme Delivery Platforms

• ASHA workers - door-to-door IFA syrup delivery for 6-59 month children
• Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) - under ICDS for children and women
• Schools - Weekly Iron & Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) for school-going adolescents via teachers
• Health & Wellness Centres (HWCs) / Sub-Health Centres - testing and treatment
• PHCs and above - semi-auto analyzer for diagnosis

Recent Evidence & Progress

• Supply chain gaps - inadequate forecasting, inventory management, fixed distribution schedules
• Low compliance - side effects (bloating, nausea), forgetfulness, lack of counseling
• Low awareness - perceived low risk, negative social influences, restrictive gender norms
• Coverage gaps - particularly for out-of-school adolescents and women of reproductive age

Key Challenges

• Anemia prevalence remains stagnant despite ongoing efforts (NFHS-5 shows worsening in some states vs NFHS-4)
• Multi-factorial etiology: nutritional + non-nutritional causes
• Non-compliance with IFA tablets remains a major bottleneck
• Need for stronger integration with POSHAN Abhiyaan and Swachh Bharat (sanitation)

Official Resources

• NHM - Anemia Mukt Bharat page (guidelines, training materials, dashboard link)
• AMB Index 2025 - State Rankings