Despite the 6×6×6 strategy under Anaemia Mukt Bharat, India continues to report high anaemia burden as per NFHS-5. Critically examine the structural and implementation gaps and evaluate how the 7×7×7 strategy and T4 Approach under AMB Abhiyaan address them.

Q. Despite the 6×6×6 strategy under Anaemia Mukt Bharat, India continues to report high anaemia burden as per NFHS-5. Critically examine the structural and implementation gaps and evaluate how the 7×7×7 strategy and T4 Approach under AMB Abhiyaan address them. (15 marks, 250 words)

Launched in 2018, Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) adopted a life-cycle 6×6×6 strategy [3], yet NFHS-5 (2019–21) still records 57% prevalence in women (15–49) and 67.1% in children [3] — exposing structural and delivery weaknesses the new AMB Abhiyaan seeks to correct.

Structural gaps - Supply-side bias: overreliance on IFA supplementation, neglecting dietary diversity and food fortification uptake [4]. - Narrow causation: weak coverage of non-nutritional causes — sickle cell, thalassaemia, malaria, fluorosis — in endemic pockets [3]. - Convergence deficit: fragmented action across MoHFW, WCD, Education and FSSAI [3].

Implementation gaps - Uneven federal performance: only 13 States/UTs showed decline in women's anaemia (NFHS-5 vs NFHS-4) [3]. - Testing shortfalls: inconsistent point-of-care haemoglobinometer use and stock-outs of IFA [4]. - Behaviour-change fatigue: low community ownership limiting last-mile adherence.

AMB Abhiyaan — evaluation - The 7×7×7 strategy widens beneficiary groups, interventions and institutional mechanisms, embedding technology and community dimensions [1]. - The T4 Approach (Test, Treat, Track, Talk) enables precision, severity-based targeting over blanket dosing [1]. - The Jan Bhagidari campaign shifts to a people-centric model, tackling the ownership gap [1]. - Operational Guidelines released at the 16th CCHFW meeting signal stronger Centre–State convergence [1].

If backed by robust data-tracking and inter-ministerial coordination, these upgrades can move India decisively toward WHO Global Nutrition Targets, converting a supply-driven scheme into a resilient, community-owned public-health movement.

(~250 words)

Sources: 1. Union Health Minister to Release Anemia Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan Operational Guidelines at 16th CCHFW Meeting (PIB, 2026) — AMB Abhiyaan, 7×7×7 strategy, T4 Approach, Jan Bhagidari, CCHFW launch 3. Steps taken under Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) strategy (PIB, 2022) — 6×6×6 strategy, NFHS-5 prevalence, 13 States/UTs decline, non-nutritional causes 4. Anaemia Mukt Bharat — National Health Mission — six interventions, IFA supplementation, fortification, point-of-care testing