Anaemia - Our Corporate Social Responsibility

Anaemia is the most common disorder of blood in the world. About 70-80% of women in child bearing age are estimated to be anaemic in India. About 20% of maternal deaths occur due to anaemia. According to WHO, World Health Statistics, 2007 data, the maternal mortality rate (MMR) in India is 540 (maternal deaths per 100,000 live births). In fact, in neighbouring countries like China & Sri Lanka the MMR is better than India i.e. 56 and 92 respectively. Also, for Infant Mortality rate (IMR) India ranks higher up in the world. India is ranked at 53rd  position where as the neighbouring countries like Nepal (at 55th  position), Bangladesh (at 58th  position), China (at 93rd  position) and Sri Lanka (at 137th  position) are below India.

According a survey conducted by FHI (Family Health International), the prevalence of anaemia in young girls aged between 12-18 years is 82.9% in girls going to school and 92.7% among girls not going to school.

If anaemia is corrected early in life, it would help to reduce MMR & IMR.

In children, anaemia affects physical growth and mental development. It can lead to many problems, including learning disabilities and behavior problems. A long-term study reported that 11 - 15-year-old children, who had been severely iron-deficient during their infant years scored lower than normal children in cognitive and motor test scores, particularly in written expression. They also tended to have more behavioral, general health, and emotional problems.
Other consequences, including reduced levels of energy and productivity and impaired immune system function develop, as children mature.

So timely correction of anaemia benefits the over all development of children. Thus, FOGSI - The federation of Obstetrics & Gynecological Societies of India - this year is running a major anaemia campaign called the "The 12 by 12 initiative" i.e. Haemoglobin of 12 gm percentage by 12 years of age. The objective of the campaign is that every girl child in the country should have a Haemoglobin level of 12 gm percentage by 12 years of age.

This is the first time that an anaemia control program is jointly implemented by FOGSI, WHO & UNICEF. Emcure has the privilege to be the exclusive industry partner of FOGSI for this adolescent anaemia elimination project.

Our corporate social responsibility is aimed towards increasing the awareness on anaemia, its early detection, and timely treatment of Iron deficiency in various sections of Indian population especially young school children and the less privileged sections of society. We support the 12 x 12 initiative by sponsoring the haemoglobin detection, providing leaflets and case records and also providing samples for the girls for at least two months duration.

We are actively participating in various camps that have already started in Bangalore, Nagpur, Nasik and Chennai. More programs are scheduled to commence at Baroda, Malda, Madurai, Sholapur & Mumbai.

We are proud to partner FOGSI in this noble cause and initiative, because being leaders in anaemia management; we at Emcure have taken ‘Anaemia Management’ as our corporate social responsibility to help significantly reduce iron deficiency in the Indian Population.