Despite tall claims, anaemia continues to be a big worry

DESPITE various interventions and targeted programmes to improve nutrition levels in children and women, Odisha continues to battle high anaemia rates in the population.

- HEMANT KUMAR ROUT @Bhubaneswar

As per the latest survey conducted by the government from April to September this year, overall anaemia level in the state stood at 47.7 per cent against 46.7 per cent during the corresponding period last year.

This stagnation has raised concern as the state had recorded a significant decline in overall anaemia prevalence from 64.2 per cent during the last national family health survey (NFHS-5) in 2019-21 to 46.7 per cent in 2023. Among children aged 6-59 months, anaemia levels had dropped from 64.2 per cent in 2019-21 to 38.4 per cent in 2023.