Anaemia prevention programme for tribal and non tribal Indian pregnant rural community in western India

The incidence of under-nutrition and nutritional anemia is very high among rural pregnant population in India.Main reason being inadequate and poor nutritional quality of diet that pregnant women consume. Approximately 52 percent of pregnant women have haemoglobin less than 10 grams. They have multiple micro-nutrient deficiencies like folic acid, calcium, vitamin D, Vitamin B complex etc, which are essential for optimum growth of the fetus in utero and increased demands of woman during pregnancy and lactational period.They belong of underserved and marginalized society. As a result of under-nutrition, these women face multiple complications during pregnancy and labour and in puerperium. (Anaemia, Pre-eclampsia, Urinary tract infection, recurrent abortions ,fetal congenital abnormalities ,preterm labour, intrauterine growth restriction, accidental haemorrhage, postpartum haemorrhage and low birth weight babies).The fetal outcome is also adversely affected by moderate to severe anaemia. With the in kind donation received from Vitamin Angels, a non profit organization from USA, Anaemia prevention programme is being implemented for tribal and non tribal pregnant rural population at Pravara Rural Hospital, Loni and its peripheral health centres located at difficult to reach areas, where the government health facilities are scanty and inaccessible. The pregnant women receive multi-mineral tablets free for six months period. The distribution is being done at health facilities and through mobile clinics and motor bike ambulances cum clinics in remote tribal areas. The activity has improved the compliance of women for their visits and has shown improvement in their haemoglobin status. Over 6000 pregnant women have been benefited with this programme in two years time. We acknowledge the support received from Centre for Social Medicine ,Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences for helping us to reach the remote tribal population through its outreach activities.