Sanjeev Kumar Patro

Bhubaneswar: Even as Odisha has recorded more severe anaemia cases this year, the State could utilise only around 39 per cent of fund approved and released to Odisha under the State programme implementation plan (SPIP) since 2016-17.

As per data released by Union Health Ministry, during the last four fiscal years (2017-17 to 2019-20), Odisha has seen approval of Rs 109.95 crore under the SPIP for anaemia control. But State could utilise only around Rs 42.79 crore till the end of second quarter (Q2) of the current fiscal year (2019-20).

The poor utilisation of anaemia funds stands in sharp contrast to a rise in severe anaemia cases this year.

As per data available with State Health department, a total of 27.9 lakh haemoglobin (Hb) tests have been conducted in the State for the period April - November. A total of 74,204 were found having Hb below 7 mg/dl, which accounts for nearly 2.7 per cent of total tests. Since Hb level below 7 mg is considered as severe anaemia, over 74,000  suffer from severe anaemia in Odisha this year.

Significantly, a total of 2.6 per cent Hb tests last year (2018-19) were found to have Hb level below 7mg/dl.  

Anaemia in Odisha is not a new trend. The India Health of the Nation’s States Report -2017 had identified iron-deficiency led  anaemia as the top cause of years lived with disability among females in Odisha.

The 2018-19 data shows a high of 20 districts have recorded a spurt in anaemia cases. While Kalahandi recorded the highest anaemic cases in the State, Balangir posted a big rise in severe anaemia cases among pregnant women vis-a-vis 2017-18.

A region wise glance shows Nabrangpur worst hit in southern Odisha. In western Odisha, Kalahandi topped the chart. Sambalpur also showed high anaemia prevalence.

In northern Odisha, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj have reported a spurt in anaemia cases among pregnant women.

In the coastal region, Khurda district, State’s Headquarters, posted a spurt and is followed by Ganjam.

The NFHS-IV has estimated the anaemia prevalence in the State among the women in 15-49 years age-group at 51.8 per cent, and severe anaemia at 0.8 per cent. It puts the anaemia prevalence in children (6-59 months) in Odisha at 45 per cent.

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