India is home to over six crore adolescent girls who are anaemic due to iron deficiency, according to leading gynaecologists from Ahmedabad, who also added that eradicating anaemia is possible in a few years through greater awareness and targeted initiatives. These observations were part of the awareness programme “Haem Up India” hosted by Cadila Pharmaceuticals to mark World Iron Deficiency Day.

“In India, anaemia is one of the important causes of maternal mortality. When a pregnant woman is anaemic, complications related to pregnancy are aggravated. Twenty to thirty per cent of maternal mortality cases are linked to anaemia,” said Dr. Alpesh Gandhi, former president of Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI).

He also added that while iron deficiency anaemia is a worldwide problem, its magnitude is severe in India with more than 50% of women and adolescent girls being anaemic.

“Six to eight crore adolescent girls in India are anaemic at any given point of time,” he said.

In her remarks, Dr. Darshana Thakkar attributed high iron deficiency levels to change in food habits. “The journey from bhakhri to pizza and sukhdi to cake has led to not just iron deficiency but also the deficiency of other nutrients,” she said, stressing a change in mindset can help in overcoming iron deficiency and anaemia.

According to a survey conducted by FOGSI last year, 92% of the doctors opined that anaemia due to iron deficiency can be eradicated in five years.

Professor Namrata Bajaj, In-charge Dean of School of Economics & Management at Indrashil University (IU), said, “The responsibility of educational institutes is not just limited to teaching, but creating awareness and contributing to a healthy India. Healthy women are a must for a healthy India, and we must all work together for various campaigns. I am confident that Cadila Pharmaceuticals and Indrashil University will make a big difference to the cause.”

As a part of this initiative, the CSR team of Cadila Pharma along with IU had conducted a screening camp of Anaemia along with Thalassemia and sickle cell Anaemia for women. Blood samples of 152 female students were collected and screened for thalassemia. The awareness program was carried out in partnership with the Indian Red Cross Society to share more information on thalassemia and anaemia, their causes, and how one can cope with them.

“Through our initiatives, we want to raise awareness amongst women especially young girls, as intervention is required at a young age. Cadila has been fighting Anaemia for more than 40 years and we are committed to finding better healthcare solutions and keep providing affordable medicines to all.”, Rajeev Saxena, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Cadila Pharmaceuticals.

Other leading gynaecologists such as Dr. Vandana Amin, Dr. Parul Patel, Dr. Nita Thakre, Dr. Kamini Patel, and Dr. Sarda Devi Madalapu also addressed the audience and shared their insights into iron deficiency and ways to overcome it. Several noted gynaecologists from across the country also shared short awareness messages, which were circulated via social media. All the expert participants signed a pledge to make India anaemia-free. The event concluded with a musical performance.