Patna: Bihar has launched a major health intervention aimed at reducing anemia among women, with Mangal Pandey inaugurating the FCM Therapy Initiative (Ferric Carboxymaltose for Anemia Management) at Urja Auditorium on Thursday. The programme has been designed as a targeted intervention to strengthen maternal health services and accelerate the state’s campaign toward becoming anemia-free.
Addressing officials and healthcare workers, the Health Minister said Bihar currently ranks first in the country in medicine delivery and described the FCM initiative as a decisive step toward eliminating anemia among women, especially pregnant mothers and those living in rural areas.
State Has Around 2 Lakh FCM Doses Available, Says Health Minister
During the launch, Mangal Pandey stated that Bihar presently has nearly 2 lakh Ferric Carboxymaltose (FCM) dosesavailable for distribution.
As part of the first phase, he announced that 20 pregnant women from each district would receive the doses immediately under the programme. He also directed officials to dispatch at least 300 injections to every district without delay so that treatment begins simultaneously across Bihar.
The initiative is focused on correcting severe iron deficiency among women through intravenous iron therapy, particularly in cases where conventional oral supplementation proves insufficient.
Goal to Reach Every District and CHC Within One Month
The Health Minister said the government intends to expand the programme rapidly so that within one month the facility becomes available in every district and at all Community Health Centres (CHCs) across the state.
This, he said, would ensure that women in remote and rural areas can receive treatment closer to home without travelling to district hospitals or urban medical facilities.
The plan is expected to decentralise access and strengthen block-level maternal healthcare delivery.
Focus on Rural Women and Pregnant Mothers
According to the Health Department, the long-term objective is to ensure that every eligible woman – particularly pregnant mothers – has access to FCM therapy wherever medically required.
The minister said the state aims to make this intervention a regular part of maternal healthcare support and integrate it with existing nutrition and reproductive health programmes.
ASHA and Anganwadi Workers Assigned Key Role in Campaign
Mangal Pandey highlighted the importance of frontline workers in making the campaign successful. He said ASHA workers and Anganwadi workers would serve as the backbone of the anemia-free mission by identifying beneficiaries, spreading awareness and ensuring timely follow-up.
He also appealed to elected representatives and local public leaders to support the campaign actively and help carry awareness efforts to villages through community-level outreach.
Bihar Seeks Further Reduction in Infant and Maternal Mortality
While reviewing broader health indicators, the minister said Bihar has already achieved notable reductions in Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR), but stressed that further progress remains necessary.
He stated that the government’s long-term target is to bring both indicators into single-digit figures, which would mark a major milestone in public health performance.
Health Secretary Says Bihar Can Become National Model
Speaking at the event, Lokesh Kumar expressed confidence that Bihar’s Health Department would soon emerge as a model for other states in the country.
He said that rapid implementation of programmes, improved medicine logistics and district-level monitoring were strengthening healthcare outcomes in Bihar.
Officials Across Districts Join Launch via Video Conferencing
The launch programme was attended by senior departmental officials including Amit Pandey and Dr. Anupama.
Health workers, district administrators and medical officials from across Bihar also joined the event through video conferencing, indicating that the programme is being rolled out simultaneously at the district level.
