Question : Child Anaemia

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware of the recently released National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4) results which show that over 58 percent of children below five years of age are anaemic;

(b) if so, the reaction of the Government on such survey report;

(c) whether the Government is aware that insufficient haemoglobin in the blood leaves children exhausted, vulnerable to infections and possibly affects their brain development, if so, the details thereof; and

(d) whether the Government is aware of a survey in 2015-16 that covered six lakh households, which showed that around 38 percent of children in the same age group were stunted, 21 percent were wasted and 36 percent underweight and if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE)
(a) & (b): Yes. As per the previous National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 3 Report, 69.5 per cent of children aged 6 to 59 months were anaemic. However, there has been a significant reduction in anaemia prevalence by about 11 point per cent in the same age group in last ten years as per NFHS 4 Report.
(c): Government is aware of the fact as enough scientific literature which show that, anaemia resulting from insufficient Haemoglobin in blood, affects cognitive development and reduces immunity making child more susceptible to infections.
(d): Government is aware of the recently released National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4) Report which shows that 38.4 per cent children below five years are stunted, 21 per cent are wasted and 35.7 per cent are underweight. The State-wise detail of stunting, wasting and underweight prevalence as per NFHS-4 survey report is annexed.
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