Kurnool:Severe anaemia has been affecting children, pregnant women and lactating mothers in Kurnool and Nandyal districts. A recent health survey has reported alarming numbers. According to it, around 50,000 people are anaemic, about 26,500 of them children.
Anaemia among women, particularly pregnant and lactating mothers, is a serious issue in the united Kurnool district. While nutritional kits are provided to pregnant women from the first month of pregnancy to six months post-delivery, more than 15,000 pregnant women and infants in the district are still suffering from anaemia.
Despite the government’s efforts, such as providing Balamrutham and Bala Sanjeevini kits, the actual number of individuals affected by anaemia is likely higher than the official statistics suggest.
Anganwadi worker K. Ramulamma from Kodumur mandal explained that in rural areas, where child marriages are common, health precautions are often ignored. Although Anganwadi workers regularly inform pregnant women, lactating mothers and parents about the importance of nutrition and health monitoring, these guidelines are not always followed.
Further, with migration of around 2.0–2.5 lakh people annually from the western region of Kurnool, many pregnant women and nursing mothers fail to take the government-provided nutritional supplements, exacerbating the problem.
For children between seven months and three years, Anganwadi centres provide Balamrutham, 100 ml of milk daily and 25 eggs monthly. For children aged three to six, the menu includes a variety of nutritional foods. But the budget allocated for these meals is a mere ₹2.30 per person per day—an amount deemed insufficient by Anganwadi workers. As a result, many children are not receiving the nourishment they need, contributing to malnutrition and low weight for their age.
The crisis is further compounded by the fact that more than 35,000 children in both Kurnool and Nandyal districts are suffering from anaemia-related ailments. The issue extends beyond children, as an additional 15,400 pregnant women and lactating mothers are also affected.
An Anganwadi worker felt that the low pay structure for them is also limiting their ability to focus more on the community.
