Ministries of Ayush and Women & Child Development Collaborate to Combat Anaemia in Adolescent Girls through Ayurveda

New Delhi: The Ministry of Ayush and the Ministry of Women and Child Development joined forces by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a Joint Public Health Initiative named “Anaemia Control among adolescent girls using Ayurveda interventions in the five districts under Mission Utkarsh.” The signing ceremony took place today at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, in the presence of Union Minister of Ayush Sarbananda Sonowal and Union Minister of Women and Child Development  Smriti Irani.

The collaborative effort will focus on improving the anaemic status of adolescent girls aged 14-18 in five aspirational districts across India, namely Assam–Dhubri; Chhattisgarh- Bastar; Jharkhand – Paschimi Singhbhum; Maharashtra – Gadchiroli; Rajasthan – Dhaulpur, where the average prevalence of anaemia is approximately 69.5%.

Approximately 95,000 adolescent girls will be the beneficiaries of this initiative, covering around 10,000 Anganwadi Centres in the five targeted districts. The project aims at nutritional improvement and combating anaemia, a significant public health concern.

Addressing the audience, Sarbananda Sonowal emphasized the collaborative effort to make India anaemia-free and achieve the goal of ‘Anaemia Mukt Bharat’ (Anaemia-Free India). The initiative aligns with the Mission Utkarsh launched by the Prime Minister, targeting the national average of key performance indicators in aspirational districts.

Smriti Irani highlighted the cost-effective solutions offered by introducing Ayush systems, supported by evidence from institutions like ICMR. The initiative holds global significance, offering opportunities for medical communities worldwide to study and reflect upon its effectiveness.

Secretary, Ministry of Ayush Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha stressed the impact of anaemia on the physical and mental capacity of adolescents and the importance of traditional systems of medicine in primary health settings.

Indewar Pandey, Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, underscored the ministry’s commitment to addressing malnutrition challenges through schemes like “Saksham Aanganbaadi” and “Poshan.” Focusing on girls aged 14 to 18 is crucial for ensuring healthy future generations.

The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), known for its expertise in the field, has successfully implemented various public health initiatives, including the National campaign on Anaemia control through Ayurveda and operational studies in districts like Gadchiroli.

The collaboration represents a significant step in leveraging Ayurveda interventions for enhancing the nutritional well-being of adolescent girls and combating anaemia on a larger scale. Prof. Ravi Narayan Acharya, Director General – Central Council for Research in Ayurveda Science (CCRAS), Pushpa Chaudhary, Team Lead Reproductive, Maternal, Child and Adolescent health WHO, Dr. Rajeev Bahl, DG ICMR, and other dignitaries graced the event with their presence.