Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) Abhiyaan

Introduction

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has released the Revised Operational Guidelines for the Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) Abhiyaan, strengthening India’s approach towards prevention, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of anaemia.

About Anaemia Mukt Bharat

Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) Abhiyaan is the Government of India’s flagship programme for reducing the burden of anaemia through a life-cycle approach. It was launched in 2018 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare under the National Health Mission (NHM) as part of the POSHAN Abhiyaan.

The programme focuses on prevention, early detection, treatment and continuous monitoring of anaemia among vulnerable population groups.

Objectives

The programme aims to reduce anaemia prevalence among children, adolescents, women of reproductive age, pregnant women and lactating mothers through targeted interventions.

It seeks to ensure early diagnosis and appropriate treatment by promoting regular screening, haemoglobin testing and timely management of anaemia.

The programme also seeks to improve nutritional status by promoting iron supplementation, healthy dietary practices and consumption of iron-rich foods.

An important objective is to break the intergenerational cycle of anaemia by preventing maternal anaemia and reducing the risk of anaemia among children.

By addressing anaemia, the programme seeks to improve maternal health, child growth, cognitive development, learning outcomes and overall productivity.

Original 6×6×6 Strategy

The original AMB framework was based on a 6×6×6 strategy, covering six beneficiary groups, six interventions and six institutional mechanisms.

Six Beneficiary Groups

The programme initially covered children aged 6–59 months, children aged 5–9 years, adolescents aged 10–19 years, women of reproductive age aged 15–49 years, pregnant women and lactating mothers.

Six Interventions

The major interventions included Iron-Folic Acid (IFA) supplementation, deworming, behaviour change communication, testing and treatment of anaemia, iron-fortified foods and management of non-nutritional causes of anaemia.

Institutional Mechanisms

The institutional framework provided for coordination, implementation and monitoring from the national level to the grassroots level to ensure effective delivery of the programme.

Why was AMB Revised?

Despite years of implementation, anaemia continues to be a major public health challenge in India. According to NFHS-5, 67.1% of children aged 6–59 months, 59.1% of adolescent girls, 57% of women aged 15–49 years and 52.2% of pregnant women were anaemic.

The revised approach recognises that anaemia is not caused only by iron deficiency. Other contributing factors include folate and Vitamin B12 deficiencies, poor dietary diversity, infections, worm infestations and inherited blood disorders.

Therefore, the programme is shifting from a predominantly iron-supplementation approach towards a more comprehensive framework involving prevention, early diagnosis, effective treatment, nutritional improvement and continuous follow-up.

Revised 7×7×7 Strategy

Expanded Beneficiary Coverage

The earlier 6×6×6 framework has been expanded into a 7×7×7 strategy by adding a new beneficiary group, a new intervention and a new institutional mechanism.

New Beneficiary Group

Low birth weight babies aged 0–6 months have been added as a new beneficiary group because they are born with lower iron stores and are therefore more vulnerable to anaemia during infancy.

Greater Focus on Nutrition

The revised programme introduces a new “Eat Right” intervention, promoting regular consumption of iron-rich and diversified diets. This reflects the recognition that anaemia cannot be effectively addressed through iron supplementation alone.

From T3 to T4 Strategy

The earlier Test, Treat and Talk (T3) approach has been upgraded to Test, Treat, Talk and Track (T4).

The new Track component will enable beneficiaries to be digitally monitored for treatment adherence, timely referral, follow-up and complete recovery. This represents a shift towards a more outcome-oriented approach.

Improved Treatment Protocols

Pregnant and lactating women suffering from severe anaemia or those who do not adequately respond to oral iron therapy will receive intravenous iron therapy, including Ferric Carboxymaltose and Iron Sucrose, according to national treatment guidelines.

Digital Monitoring

The revised guidelines strengthen digital monitoring of haemoglobin and treatment outcomes. Haemoglobin records of pregnant women will be captured through the JANANI Portal, while children's data will be recorded through the RBSK and U-WIN portals.

These platforms are intended to eventually be integrated into a single AMB Abhiyaan Portal for real-time monitoring, data analysis and evidence-based programme planning.

Greater Community Participation

The revised programme promotes Jan Chetna campaigns to increase public awareness regarding healthy diets, early screening, timely treatment and prevention of anaemia.

Significance of the Revised Guidelines

Shift from Input-Based to Outcome-Based Approach

The revised AMB Abhiyaan marks an important shift from an input-based approach, focused largely on distributing iron supplements, towards an outcome-based approach that seeks to ensure beneficiaries are screened, treated, tracked and fully recovered.

Life-Cycle Approach

By addressing anaemia across different stages of life, the programme seeks to prevent anaemia before pregnancy, improve maternal health and break the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition and anaemia.

Multi-Causal Approach

The revised framework recognises the multiple causes of anaemia and therefore combines nutrition interventions, medical treatment, supplementation, screening and behaviour change.

Technology-Driven Monitoring

Integration of digital health platforms can improve treatment tracking, follow-up and programme monitoring while enabling more evidence-based decision-making.

Human Capital and Development

Reducing anaemia can contribute to better maternal health, child development, cognitive abilities, learning outcomes and workforce productivity. The programme therefore supports the broader objectives of SDG 2 – Zero Hunger and SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being.

Way Forward

The success of the revised AMB Abhiyaan will depend on ensuring an uninterrupted supply of iron supplements, promoting diversified and iron-rich diets, expanding access to haemoglobin testing, ensuring timely referral and treatment of severe cases, and strengthening digital monitoring systems.

Effective coordination among the Centre, States, healthcare institutions, schools, communities and frontline workers will be essential for ensuring comprehensive anaemia prevention and management across the life cycle.