Anemia: A fight for India 13-06-2024
In the 1800s, scientists who were doing a routine microscope check on blood would find out that some blood samples had a very low level of red blood cells. The blood found within these samples placed a massive crisis in the era of blood transfusion. The concept of anemia would not see the light of day until much later. But it would go on to be one of the most common diseases in countries like India with over 10 million cases per year, affecting everyone from young children suffering from malnutrition and pregnant women. The struggle against anemia continues on to this day. But a hope for a brighter tomorrow has never ceased.
Anemia is a condition that develops when your blood produces a lower-than-normal amount of healthy red blood cells. Anemia results from a lack of red blood cells or dysfunctional red blood cells in the body. This leads to reduced oxygen flow to the body's organs. Symptoms may include fatigue, skin pallor, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, dizziness or a fast heartbeat. Women and children are the most vulnerable in cases of anemia, individuals with long term illnesses also face a high chance of dealing with anemia. Certain forms of anemia can be passed through genes and may be seen as hereditary. Women during pregnancies also face a chance of having anemia due to the body requiring heavy amounts of iron and blood for the formation of the fetus. Older adults have a greater risk of anemia because they are more likely to have kidney disease or other chronic medical conditions.

In countries like India, more specifically rural regions, anemia remains prevalent due to several reasons. Malnutrition continues to be a major reason for the rise of anemia due to an important diet and an inability to uptake nutrients such as iron to help in the formation of new red blood cells. Sanitation is another reason for the increase of cases in anemia due to several families not understanding the importance of maintaining cleanliness to ensure good health. But most importantly, poverty, a lack of information, and a lack of resources play a major role in the growth of anemia.
To tackle anemia head on, is to provide the information and resources needed in order to deal with the illness. And by doing so, start a chain reaction in behaviour change that will allow people to be self sufficient in dealing with the illness. DC’s project Sampushti is one such project that tackles anemia head on. Aside from providing regular health checkups and providing adolescents with moringa and IFA tablets to help in building up iron in the body, the project also actively works to spread awareness on the topic of anemia and the ways in which a healthy diet and cleanliness can aid in dealing with the illness. Another project under DC that directly deals with the fight against anemia is project Fortify Health, that tackles iron intake at the root. By fortifying atta, a household ingredient in every household in India, Fortify Health works to ensure the inclusion of iron in the diets of millions in order to deal with anemia.
The fight against anemia is still ongoing, but with the right resources, it is not difficult to deal with it. By ensuring the right resources, and information, it will only take some time to completely eradicate the illness altogether.