More Than Half of Odisha’s Tribal Women Are Anaemic, New Study Shows

When Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati unveiled a fresh health survey from Utkal University on July 20, the headlines were hard to miss – more than half of adult women belonging to Odisha’s Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) are battling anaemia. The numbers are stark, the gaps wide, and the story, frankly, a little heartbreaking.

The study covered ten of the state’s thirteen PVTGs – Bonda, Didayi, Dongria Kandha, Kutia Kandha, Juang, Paudi Bhuiya, Hill Kharia, Mankidia, Lodha and Lanjia Saora – spread across seven districts: Malkangiri, Rayagada, Kandhamal, Keonjhar, Deogarh, Mayurbhanj and Gajapati. Researchers knocked on doors of 2,041 households, eventually counting 9,222 individuals – a decent slice of these remote communities.

What they found about anaemia is unsettling. Among adult men, roughly 36.95 % (that’s 1,015 men) were recorded as anaemic. For adult women, the figure jumps past the 53 % mark – the report simply says “over half”, but even that baseline is enough to set off alarm bells.

Digging a bit deeper, the tribal breakdown shows the problem isn’t uniform. Male anaemia spikes at 59.18 % among the Mankidia, followed closely by the Bonda (56.30 %). The Lodha and Lanjia Saora sit lower, at 47.32 % and 39.26 % respectively. While the article doesn’t list female rates tribe‑by‑tribe, the overall picture suggests women are faring even worse.

Nutrition‑related issues run a parallel track. Children of the Hill Kharia tribe are especially hard‑hit – an eye‑watering 82.76 % are classified as stunted, meaning they fall more than two standard deviations below the WHO height‑for‑age norm. That’s more than eight out of ten little kids who are not reaching their growth potential.

Other health red flags emerged too. Early‑onset metabolic risks are evident, with a noticeable share of adults showing higher‑than‑normal blood pressure and random blood‑sugar levels. Maternal care remains a challenge – about 59 % of deliveries among these groups still happen at home, often without skilled assistance.

“Evidence‑based research is the cornerstone of any meaningful intervention,” said Vice‑Chancellor Chandi Prasad Nanda of Utkal University. He stressed that the data should steer policy, not just sit on a shelf. Coordinator Prasanna Kumar Patra added that the findings underscore the urgent need for targeted nutrition programmes, regular health‑check camps, and stronger linkages with primary health centres.

In short, the study paints a picture that is simultaneously granular and alarming. It calls for a coordinated response – from the state health department, NGOs, and the tribal communities themselves – to lift anaemia rates, curb stunting, and improve overall well‑being.