Empowering Girls, Defeating Anaemia

Adolescent girls and women in rural areas face severe health challenges due to anaemia, lack of awareness about nutrition, and inadequate access to health facilities. These issues directly contribute to poor health outcomes, including high rates of maternal and infant mortality, and impact overall well-being.

Kishori Express operates as a mobile anaemia control programme, reaching over 1,260 villages across Odisha, Jharkhand, and Haryana. Customised vans equipped with screens running sensitisation programmes, digital haemometers, sanitary napkins, iron-centric seed kits and brochures on anaemia awareness operate within these locations. The initiative collaborates with State governments /Dist. Administration, ICDS and Health Departments to conduct haemoglobin tests, distribute iron supplements, provide low-cost sanitary napkins, and educate young girls on diet, hygiene, and nutrition. Engaging activities like health quizzes and counselling sessions ensure the programme’s effectiveness. The initiative is implemented in close partnership with ASHA and Anganwadi workers for on-ground support and medical interventions.

Impact

7.5 lakh+

adolescent girls

benefitted across three states

537

villages in Banarpal & Angul blocks (Odisha),

87 villages in Punhana block (Haryana, under the GOI’s Aspirational District Programme, and 15 villages in Patratu block (Jharkhand) covered under the initiative.

98%

reduction in severe

anaemia cases in Banarpal Block.

92%

decrease in cases

transitioning from severe to moderate anaemia in Angul and Banarpal.

97%

transition

from moderate to normal haemoglobin levels since inception.

 

Significant improvement

in awareness and adoption of safe hygiene practices among adolescent girls and women.