WHO reports anaemia threatens women health, economic futures in South Asia
By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS – WHO experts on Wednesday 3warned that anaemia remains one of South Asia’s quietest but most pervasive health crises, disproportionately affecting the region’s poorest women and girls and with 18 million more cases projected by 2030, called for urgent, unified action is critical.
The warning issued jointly by UN agencies and the regional socio-economic bloc SAARC on Wednesday, underscored South Asia’s status as the “global epicentre” of anaemia among adolescent girls and women.
UN agencies estimated 259 million suffer from the condition, which impairs the body’s ability to carry oxygen, contributed to chronic fatigue, poor maternal outcomes, and reduced educational and economic participation.
Sanjay Wijesekera, Regional Director for the UNICEF, with the WHO and SAARC prepared the analysis said “This is a clarion call for action,”.
He said that “When half of all adolescent girls and women in South Asia are anaemic, it is not only a health issue – it is a signal that systems are failing them.”
Anaemia doesn’t just affect women and girls it contributes to 40% of the world’s low birth weight cases and affects child growth and learning, particularly in poorer households, analysis stated.
The economic toll is staggering: anaemia costs South Asia an estimated $32.5 billion annually, perpetuating cycles of poverty and poor health, WHO said .
The condition is preventable and treatable. Proven solutions include iron and folic acid supplementation, iron- and vitamin-rich diets, better sanitation and infection control, and stronger maternal health services, it said.
The experts stressed that multi-sector collaboration is critical for sustained progress.
The progress hinges on strengthening health systems, expanding nutrition programmes, and reaching adolescent girls and women in marginalised communities.
Sri Lanka has 18.5 per cent of women of reproductive age are anaemic, is scaling up its national nutrition initiative, focusing on the most affected districts.
India and Pakistan are seeing encouraging signs, WHO stated.
In India, high-burden states are integrating iron supplementation into school and maternal care programmes.
Pakistan has piloted community-based nutrition initiatives linked to reproductive health services, enabling early detection and follow-up care.
In Bangladesh, school-based health initiatives are reaching adolescents with fortified meals and health education, coordinated across health, education, and agriculture ministries.
Maldives and Bhutan are prioritizing early prevention through childhood nutrition, food fortification, and public awareness campaigns.
The smaller in population, both are investing in anaemia surveillance and inter-ministerial collaboration.
Nepal stands out for its equitable results: since 2016, the country has cut anaemia among women of reproductive age by 7 per cent, with larger declines in poorer areas.
Its female community health volunteers are key, providing counselling and referrals in remote regions and linking vulnerable households to public services.
The agencies reiterated that ending anaemia requires leadership and teamwork. Governments must lead, but communities, health workers, schools, and families all play a part.
They said that stronger health systems, better data, and coordinated action across sectors can help girls and women reach their full potential – building healthier communities and stronger economies.
Md. Golam Sarwar, Secretary General of SAARC said “Young people and mothers are at the heart of South Asia’s development goals. Ensuring that they are healthy, nourished and empowered is not just a moral imperative, it is a strategic investment in the future of our societies”.
