Anaemia prevalence data has been omitted from the recently released National Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6) fact sheets, with the Union Health Ministry stating that a separate nationwide survey using a more accurate testing methodology will provide updated estimates in the coming months.

According to Health Ministry officials, haemoglobin testing was not conducted as part of NFHS-6 due to concerns regarding the reliability of the capillary blood sampling method used in previous surveys. Instead, anaemia estimates will be derived from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Diet and Biomarkers Survey, which utilizes venous blood samples, a method considered more accurate for assessing haemoglobin levels and nutritional biomarkers.

The decision follows years of debate among researchers and public health experts over the accuracy of anaemia measurements reported in earlier rounds of the NFHS. Experts have argued that capillary blood testing may sometimes lead to inconsistencies in haemoglobin estimation, potentially affecting national anaemia prevalence figures.

Anaemia remains one of India’s most significant public health challenges, particularly among women and children. Data from NFHS-5 (2019-21) showed that approximately 57% of women aged 15-49 years, 67.1% of children aged 6-59 months, and 25% of men aged 15-49 years were anaemic, highlighting the scale of the nutritional burden across the country.

Health experts believe that the ICMR survey could provide a more precise picture of the nation’s anaemia burden and help policymakers design targeted interventions. The survey is expected to generate robust evidence on nutrition, dietary patterns, and biomarker based health indicators using standardized laboratory methods.

The absence of anaemia data from NFHS 6 has drawn attention because the survey is widely used for monitoring maternal and child health, nutrition outcomes, and public health program performance. However, officials maintain that prioritizing data accuracy is essential for effective policy planning.

Public health specialists note that anaemia can lead to fatigue, reduced immunity, impaired cognitive development, pregnancy complications, and decreased productivity. Accurate measurement is therefore critical for evaluating the impact of government initiatives aimed at reducing malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies.

The Health Ministry expects the findings from the ICMR Diet and Biomarkers Survey to fill the data gap and provide a stronger scientific basis for future nutrition and public health strategies. The results are anticipated to play a key role in shaping India’s efforts to tackle anaemia and improve population health outcomes.