ANAEMIA (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Health)

Context: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Delhi, has now invited Expression of Interest (EoI) from the eligible organisations/companies/startups manufacturing ‘non-invasive hemoglobinometer’ useful in effective screening of anaemia.

Anaemia

• About: Anaemia is a condition in which the number of red blood cells or the haemoglobin concentration within them is lower than normal.

oHemoglobin is a protein found in red cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to all other organs in the body. 

• Causes: Tiredness, weakness, Iron deficiency and shortness of breath.
• Types of anemia, including:

oIron-deficiency anemia

oVitamin B12-deficiency anemia

oHemolytic anemia

• Symptoms: Feeling weak or tired, or with exercise, Headaches, Problems concentrating or thinking and Irritability.
• Serious Problem: It is a serious global public health problem that particularly affects young children, menstruating adolescent girls and women, and pregnant and postpartum women. WHO estimates that 40% of children 6–59 months of age, 37% of pregnant women, and 30% of women 15–49 years of age worldwide are anaemic.
• Prevalence of anaemia: Among six groups as per the National Family Health Survey 5 (2019-21) is:

o25.0% in men (15-49 years),

o57.0% in women (15-49 years),

o31.1% in adolescent boys (15-19 yrs),

o59.1 % in adolescent girls, 52.2 % in pregnant women (15-49 years) and

o67.1% in children (6-59 months).