94 lakh 71 thousand people were tested for anemia, more than 18 lakh were diagnosed with anemia

Patna, September 29: With the aim of reducing the rate of anemia in the state, the special campaign 'Anemia Free Bihar', conducted by the Bihar Government Health Department, is carrying out mass testing, treatment and nutritional counseling. From August 25 to September 28, 2026, 94 lakh 71 thousand 377 people have been tested for anemia across the state. It is noteworthy that this special campaign was launched by Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary on August 25, 2026. In the tests conducted so far under the campaign, 5,632 people have been diagnosed with severe anemia, 3,34,171 people with moderate anemia and 1,422,767 people with mild anemia.
The Department of Health is providing treatment, nutritional counseling, referral to better medical centers and continuous monitoring to the people suffering from anemia as per their requirement. This special campaign will continue from August 25 to November 30, 2026.
Health Minister Nishant said that through the "Anemia Free Spring" campaign, efforts are being made to provide anemia screening, treatment and nutritional counseling to more people. Early detection of anemia makes it easier to provide immediate treatment as needed to the affected people. He said that anemia has a direct impact on the health of children, adolescent boys and girls, women, pregnant women and lactating mothers. That is why special attention is being paid by the Health Department to the treatment of people suffering from severe and moderate anemia with examination, referral to medical centers and continuous medical monitoring. The Minister of Health said that proper and balanced diet is of primary importance in preventing anemia Therefore, during the campaign, people are also being informed about iron-rich local foods, balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. He also called the involvement of the general public along with the officers and officials of the health department for the success of the campaign.
The health department has set a target of screening a total of 12 million 82 thousand 500 people in the state for anemia screening and treatment as needed. As of September 28, 94 lakh 71 thousand 377 people have been tested.
Under the campaign, arrangements have been made for anemia screening at district hospitals, sub-divisional hospitals, referral hospitals, community health centres, primary health centres, additional primary health centres, Ayushman Arogya Mandir and health sub-centres.
Apart from this, anemia is being checked by active medical teams at Gram Health, Sanitation and Nutrition Days, Pradhan Mantri Safe Motherhood Campaign meetings and government and government aided schools.
Necessary medical equipment including digital hemoglobinometer, test strips, cuvette, lancet, alcohol swab and disposable gloves have been made available for testing. Iron folic acid syrup and fixed dose iron folic acid tablets are being provided free of cost as needed for treatment. FCM (Ferric Carboxy Maltose) therapy is also being provided to pregnant women as per requirement.
Appropriate treatment, referral to higher medical centers as needed, continuous counseling and follow-up are being arranged for those found to be suffering from moderate and severe anemia during the campaign. IV Sucrose and FCM injections are also being provided to such deserving persons as required. After screening, the details of the deserving persons are being entered digitally on the 'Anemia Free India Campaign Application', helping to make the identification, treatment and follow-up monitoring of affected persons more effective.

Nutrition counseling is also an important part of the campaign

For the prevention and control of anemia, special attention is being paid not only to medicines but also to nutritional awareness. Screeners are counseled on locally available iron-rich foods, balanced diet, proper dietary habits, obesity management and other health-related issues.

Community health officers, ANMs, RMNCHA counselors and other medical personnel are playing an important role in this work.

Progress in several districts including Banka, Sitamarhi and West Champaran

Banka, Sitamarhi, West Champaran, Saran and Madhepura are among the districts where significant progress has been registered under the campaign as per the performance till 28 September 2026. According to the health department, satisfactory progress has been made in many other districts as compared to the set target.

The campaign is being continuously monitored and evaluated by the Health Department in all districts. Necessary instructions are also being issued from time to time to the district level officers to further improve the speed of testing, treatment and follow-up, so that timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment of anemia can be provided to maximum number of people while achieving the set target of the campaign.