Bihar's Anemia-Free Bihar (Anaemia Mukt Bihar) campaign was formally launched on Tuesday, 25 August, with Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary virtually inaugurating the programme from Patna. The main event took place at the Civil Surgeon's auditorium at Sadar Hospital, Bhabhua, in Kaimur district, marking the beginning of a district-wide health drive to identify and treat anaemia across all population groups.

What the Campaign Covers

Modelled on the Centre's Anaemia-Free India initiative, the programme focuses on widespread haemoglobin screening followed by targeted treatment. On the launch day alone, health workers tested haemoglobin levels for approximately 100 beneficiaries, with those requiring intervention receiving iron syrup, tablets, and calcium supplements on the spot.

The campaign will run in Kaimur from 25 August to 30 November 2025, with screening available at Sadar Hospital and health centres across all blocks. The stated daily target is 250 screenings per block. Launch-day activities were also organised at Sub-divisional Hospital, Mohania, signalling an immediate district-wide rollout.

Who Will Be Screened

The drive casts a wide net across vulnerable groups. Eligible participants include nine-year-old children, adolescents aged 10–19 years, women of reproductive age, pregnant and lactating women, men, and other eligible groups. Screening will extend to Anganwadi centres and schools, ensuring reach beyond hospital infrastructure.

Role of ASHA Workers and Digital Tracking

ASHA workers will anchor the community outreach component — creating awareness, encouraging residents to seek screening, and facilitating access to health facilities. Medicines and treatment will be dispensed based on individual screening results.

Civil Surgeon Chandeshwari Rajak said data on every beneficiary will be uploaded to the Anemia-Free portal, enabling systematic digital records of testing and treatment outcomes. District Immunisation Officer RK Chaudhary confirmed the campaign's operational timeline and daily targets.

Broader Health Context

Anaemia remains a significant public health burden in Bihar, disproportionately affecting women, children, and adolescents. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), more than 63% of women aged 15–49 in Bihar were anaemic — among the highest rates in the country. The state-level campaign, aligned with the Centre's national framework, represents an effort to systematically address a condition that affects cognitive development, maternal health, and workforce productivity. Certificates were presented to beneficiaries who underwent screening during the inauguration, a symbolic gesture aimed at encouraging community participation.

With the campaign set to run for over three months, the Health Department's ability to sustain daily screening targets and ensure medicine supply chains remain uninterrupted will determine its real-world impact.