57% women in India suffer from anaemia, says doctor

Dr Kunda Mittal, Medical Superintendent (MS) of the PGIMS here, expressed concern over the high prevalence of anaemia among Indian women, citing data from the National Family Health Survey (2019–21).

“As per the survey, about 57per cent of women aged 15 to 49 years in India are anemic. Among pregnant women, the figure stands at 52 per cent, while more than half of adolescent girls (aged 15–19 years) are also affected,” said Dr Mittal while inaugurating an anaemia screening camp organised on the Ch Ranbir Singh OPD premises, under the ongoing “Swasth Naari, Sashakt Parivar” (Healthy woman, empowered family) campaign.

Explaining the symptoms of anaemia, he said “If your skin appears pale, eyes are yellowish, you’re constantly fatigued, experience rapid heartbeats, shortness of breath, dizziness, frequent infections, swelling in the face and feet, or notice whiteness on your tongue and nails — these could be signs of anaemia. You should get your blood tested immediately and consult a qualified doctor.”

He also cautioned that neglecting anaemia could lead to severe health complications, including an increased risk of heart attacks in the long term. Dr Mittal emphasised the importance of early screening, timely treatment and nutritional awareness to tackle the growing threat of anaemia, especially among women and adolescents.

The MS said under the guidance of University of Health Sciences (UHS) Vice-Chancellor Dr HK Aggarwal and PGIMS Director Dr SK Singhal, several awareness and health check-up camps would be organised within the institute, villages and towns in the district for the next 16 days, with an effort to reach as many people as possible.