Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements in the context of interventions being undertaken under Anaemia Mukt Bharat Strategy:
It provides prophylactic calcium supplementation for pre-school children, adolescents and pregnant women.
It runs a campaign for delayed cord clamping at the time of child-birth.
It provides for periodic deworming to children and adolescents.
It addresses non-nutritional causes of anaemia in endemic pockets with special focus on malaria, haemoglobinopathies and fluorosis.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
Only one
Only two
Only three
All four
Correct Answer: C
Detailed Solution
Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) was launched in 2018 as an intensified National Iron Plus Initiative. It follows a 6×6×6 Strategy comprising six beneficiary groups, six interventions and six institutional mechanisms.
Statement 1 is incorrect. AMB provides prophylactic Iron and Folic Acid supplementation, not calcium supplementation. The use of the word “calcium” makes the statement incorrect.
Iron and Folic Acid supplementation is provided according to age and physiological status to six beneficiary groups:
children aged 6-59 months;
children aged 5-9 years;
adolescents aged 10-19 years;
women of reproductive age;
pregnant women; and
lactating women.
For example, pregnant women are prescribed one daily tablet containing 60 mg elemental iron and 500 mcg folic acid, beginning from the fourth month of pregnancy, for at least 180 days during pregnancy and another 180 days after delivery.
Statement 2 is correct. The Behaviour Change Communication Intervention under AMB promotes delayed cord clamping at childbirth. Delaying the cutting of the umbilical cord, generally for about 1-3 minutes, can increase the transfer of blood and iron to the newborn and help reduce the risk of anaemia in early life.
Statement 3 is correct. AMB includes periodic deworming of children and adolescents. Under National Deworming Day, children and adolescents aged 1-19 years are generally provided deworming treatment twice a year—on 10 February and 10 August. Worm infestation can cause blood loss and interfere with nutrient absorption.
Statement 4 is correct. AMB is not limited to iron-deficiency anaemia. It also strengthens awareness, screening and treatment of non-nutritional causes in endemic areas, with special emphasis on:
malaria;
haemoglobinopathies such as Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassemia; and
fluorosis.