Dear Editor,
The high prevalence of anaemia among Bhutanese children and women is an urgent public health crisis that demands immediate and sustained action. Nearly half of these vulnerable groups are affected – with 44.7% of children under five, 40.9% of non-pregnant women, 36.5% of adolescents, and 33.3% of pregnant women suffering from this condition.
This is not solely a nutritional issue; alarmingly, high blood lead levels are compounding the problem, especially in children aged 1–6 years, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and even monastic children. Such exposure can have lifelong consequences for cognitive and physical development.
The government’s initiatives – nutrition counselling, folic acid supplementation, conditional cash transfers, and school-based micronutrient programs – are commendable. However, persistent challenges like poor treatment compliance, limited dietary diversity, and low public awareness about lead poisoning threaten progress.
The upcoming National Nutrition Strategy and Action Plan (2026–2030) offers a critical opportunity to strengthen programmes, forge partnerships, and close knowledge gaps. Addressing anaemia aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, and failure to act decisively could jeopardize Bhutan’s broader development objectives.
We must act now to protect our nation’s future – our children and mothers.
