Health problems plague frontline anganwadi workers, study finds

Mumbai: Anganwadi workers, the frontline pillars of early education and supplementary nutrition for children, are facing their own health challenges. A study by the civic-run RN Cooper Hospital revealed worrying health metrics, including anemia, higher body mass index (BMI), sugar, and cholesterol levels among these essential workers.

The study, conducted by the community medicine department of the BMC-run college, screened more than 400 anganwadi workers during a health camp. They found that almost 49 per cent had abnormal BMI levels, of which 33 per cent were overweight and 16 per cent were obese. Additionally, the fasting blood sugar was high in as many as 66 per cent of those tested, and postprandial levels were elevated in almost 43 per cent . The cholesterol levels were high in nearly 40 per cent of the workers.

Crucially, up to 53 per cent of the anganwadi workers between the age group of 41-50 years were anemic. Anemia can cause fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, dizziness, and pale skin, among other symptoms, due to reduced oxygen-carrying capacity in the blood.

Further, around 4 per cent showed abnormal findings in PAP smear tests conducted during the camps. These findings are significant given that anganwadi workers are the backbone of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) program that provides essential services to children aged 0-6 years and pregnant mothers, including nutrition and early childhood education. Ironically, they are the key members implementing PM-Poshan Abhiyaan, which aims to reduce anemia among women to tackle low birth weight, among others.

Dr Ravindra Kembhavi, one of the authors of the study published in the Indian Journal of Community Medicine, said the checks were carried out as part of a special project commissioned by the Centre. Nearly 70 per cent of the anganwadi workers have been working in the role for nearly a decade. Dr. Smita Chavan, who coordinated the project, said that the findings highlight the need for regular health check-ups for healthcare workers at all levels so that they can efficiently deliver healthcare services.

Maharashtra has over 2 lakh anganwadi workers responsible for providing supplementary nutrition to nearly 50 lakh children under 6 years old, as well as rations to pregnant and lactating mothers. Anganwadi workers in Maharashtra have been protesting for better wages, gratuity, and pension.

Earlier this year, anganwadi workers were on strike for 53 days, but the government didn’t agree to increase their honorarium.

“All these health problems could be directly related to stress caused by the significant increase in their workload. They are expected to digitize every data in real-time, but the government doesn’t want to increase their remuneration,” said Shubha Shamin from the Action Committee that fights for the rights of anganwadi workers. An anganwadi sevika gets Rs 10,500 while helpers earn over Rs 5,500.