New Delhi, October 13 (IANS). India faces a silent but serious health challenge of Vitamin D deficiency. A report on Monday claimed that one in five Indians is deficient in Vitamin D. On the basis of the report, the government was requested to take effective measures to deal with it.
The Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) in collaboration with ANVKA Foundation presented two key policy briefs to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare presenting a national roadmap and a specific action plan for Delhi.
These suggestions are based on a recently released study showing that vitamin D deficiency has become a public health concern in India and is affecting people across different regions, age groups and income levels.
“Our recommendations focus on practical steps that can be implemented immediately using existing health networks, local partnerships and awareness campaigns,” said Dr. Arpita Mukherjee, professor at ICRIER and lead author of the report.
These recommendations include launching a “Vitamin D Malnutrition Free India” campaign on the lines of “Anemia Free India” to spread awareness, promote sunlight exposure, encourage fortified foods and make testing and supplements affordable.
The report urges the government to “launch a nationwide awareness campaign, integrate ongoing efforts into existing healthcare programs including vitamin D, leverage national survey data for targeted interventions, and create a multi-stakeholder platform to set uniform guidelines for screening and treatment of vitamin D deficiency in India.”
Additionally, the policy brief presented to the Delhi government urges the government to take a lead role through large-scale testing, public awareness campaigns and inclusion of vitamin D supplementation in existing programmes.
It also recommends training Asha and Anganwadi workers and ensuring availability of supplements.
“With focused action, Delhi can become a model city for the ‘Vitamin D Malnutrition-Free India’ campaign,” Mukherjee said.
The authors also emphasized that tackling vitamin D deficiency is in line with the government’s broader approach to Ayushman Bharat and preventive healthcare.
“Vitamin D deficiency is not just a minor health problem; it is a hidden epidemic that undermines the foundation of good health,” said Chaudhary, founder and director of the ANVKA Foundation.
Experts said that Vitamin D deficiency affects the development of children, maternal health of women and mobility of the elderly, which is the easiest to treat.
–IANS
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