Bihar Boosts Anaemia Fight: Single-Dose Therapy Rolls Out

Bihar's health minister has directed officials to expand Ferric Carboxymaltose (FCM) therapy for anemia management to the block level within one month. This initiative seeks to ensure the single-dose treatment is readily available at local healthcare facilities across the state. The therapy was recently launched in Patna, with 760 women receiving the dose.

FCM therapy offers a significant advantage with its single-dose efficacy, reducing the need for repeated hospital visits and enabling rapid improvement in hemoglobin levels. It is considered safe for use during pregnancy and postpartum. The drug was added to the state's essential medicines list in December 2025, and approximately 2 lakh doses are currently stocked.

Anaemia remains a critical public health issue in Bihar, affecting roughly 64% of pregnant women, a rate higher than the national average. The government is focused on training healthcare personnel and strengthening supply chains for last-mile delivery. Awareness campaigns will also target rural areas to maximize outreach and ensure treatment compliance.

Compared to existing treatments like Iron Sucrose injections, which require multiple doses, FCM is more patient-friendly, requiring fewer visits and improving treatment completion rates. This effort aligns with the Union government's 'Anaemia Mukt Bharat' campaign.