The Delhi government is set to roll out a new non-invasive anaemia screening project to assess the prevalence and patterns of anaemia across all age groups in the national capital, according to senior health department officials. The pilot will also examine the cost-effectiveness, speed and overall utility of the emerging technology before wider adoption.
Data from the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019–21) show that 50.6% of women and 66.1% of children aged 6–59 months in the Delhi NCR region are anaemic. Calling the burden “high despite multiple initiatives,” health minister Pankaj Singh said the new pilot represents a step forward in addressing the persistent public health challenge.
India’s Anaemia Mukt Bharat campaign, launched in 2018, currently relies on invasive methods such as HemoCue, which requires a finger-prick blood sample. Officials noted that advances in screening technology have made reliable non-invasive testing possible, with validation from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The pilot will incorporate these newer methods for large-scale screening.
The non-invasive system uses optical spectroscopy combined with AI algorithms to estimate haemoglobin levels without drawing blood. Individuals place a finger on a small device, which shines light through the fingertip and analyses reflected wavelengths. Results are delivered on a smartphone in about 60 seconds. The portable device claims approximately 93% accuracy, supported by ICMR-backed validation studies, and maintains an acceptable clinical error range.
Officials highlighted multiple advantages of the technology, including greater comfort, improved acceptance due to the elimination of needle pricks, and reduced infection risk compared with traditional blood-based tests. The rapid, portable nature of the device is expected to support mass screening efforts.
The survey protocol has been finalised, and screening will begin next month across schools and health centres, covering children, adolescents and adults. This will be the second such large-scale non-invasive anaemia survey in India, following a similar exercise in Odisha. Procurement of the devices is underway, though the government has not yet disclosed final costs or budget allocations.
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