A meeting of the UT Task Force for effective implementation of Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) Programme was held today under the chairmanship of Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM), J&K, Baseer Ul Haq Choudhary.
The meeting was attended by the members of the UT Task Force with participation both in physical and virtual mode.
The meeting reviewed the status of anaemia in Jammu & Kashmir and discussed a comprehensive, multi-sectoral strategy to address the high prevalence of anaemia among the children, adolescents, women and pregnant mothers.
During the meeting, it was highlighted that as per NFHS-5, anaemia continues to be a major public health concern in the UT, particularly among the children and women of reproductive age.
Mission Director emphasized the need for strong inter-departmental convergence and coordinated action to achieve the goals of Anaemia Mukt Bharat.
The Task Force deliberated on the roles of various departments including Health, ICDS, Education, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Institutions. Emphasis was laid on strengthening the screening, treatment and IFA supplementation, improving coverage of nutrition and fortified food through ICDS and PDS, effective implementation of WIFS and deworming programmes in schools, enhancing awareness through IEC/BCC activities, strengthening monitoring through digital platforms such as POSHAN Tracker and HIMS dashboard, hundered percent haemoglobin testing of all target groups along with proper tracking, treatment referral, followup and updation of the data on their respective portals, NIPI to ensure age specific prevalence of anaemic cases as per districts and also to update the ODK as per the tracking treatment and followup strategy.
Mission Director directed all the departments to ensure regular coordination, timely reporting and strict monitoring at district and block level. It was also emphasized that community participation and awareness are key to achieve sustainable reduction in anaemia.
The meeting concluded with a resolve to intensify efforts and work in convergence mode to achieve the national target of reducing anaemia prevalence and improving health outcomes across Jammu & Kashmir.