Around 57% of Indian women in the age group of 15 to 49 years were anaemic and India had the highest number of anaemia pregnant women. So steps must be taken to bring down the prevalence of anaemia among women, stressed medical experts at Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre here on Saturday.
Dr S. Padma, Head, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Dr PL. Alagammai, Consultant, Medical Gastroenterology, addressed media persons on “Improving Women’s Health: Challenges, Treatment, and Prevention of Health Issues”, in connection with International Women’s Day, which falls on March 8, Anaemia during pregnancy is also linked to a preterm or low-birth-weight baby, blood transfusion, postpartum depression and poor neonatal health. Indian women and children are anaemic as their diet does not have sufficient iron, folic acid or vitamin B12, the doctors said.
Only 36% of women in India have access to proper menstrual hygiene products. Non-availability of clean sanitary pads and lack of access to clean toilets and water were major areas of concern, they said
Source: The Hindu
Date: 07.03.2021
