GMCH conducts 523 haemoglobin tests in a day

SLUG: ANTI-ANAEMIA DRIVE

Aurangabad: The Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) carried out as many as 523 haemoglobin tests on Tuesday as part of the national-level campaign against anaemia.

The campaign — being conducted for the second consecutive year — was spearheaded by the gynaecology department of the hospital under the guidance of GMCH dean Kanan Yelikar.

As per the records gathered by the obstetrics and gynaecology department of the state-run hospital, 75% of women in Aurangabad are anaemic. Shrinivas Gadappa, head of department of OBGY GMCH, chiefly credits the local dietary habits for the intensity of anaemia in the district.

“The diet especially in rural areas comprises potato, brinjal and legumes. There is very less intake of green leafy vegetables high in iron content. Though legumes include good protein content but there should be a balance of protein and iron,” he said.

In addition, incorrect practices of consuming oral iron supplements or neglect on taking it regularly adds to the situation. Gadappa said that taking groundnuts with jaggery is often suggested to anaemic women as it is an inexpensive and easily available source of iron.

Emcure Pharmaceuticals through it haemoglobin detection centres, such as the one at GMCH, registered hB testing for 10,000 women across India in its campaign against anaemia. Last year, GMCH conducted 2000 tests and this year 523 tests have been conducted on a single day under the programme.

The results were given immediately with the help of haemoglobin meter. This year, the programme was conducted in the out-patient department (OPD) of the hospital and included dietary advice to women found having haemoglobin lower than the standards.

According to the standards given in the flier distributed to the patients undergoing the test, the normal haemoglobin range for adult female is 12.0 to 16.0. Gadappa said that having lower haemoglobin than this range would mean that the women are anaemic and that has several adverse effects on their health.