Anemia is the most common nutritional deficiency across India, causing iron insufficiency.An article by WHO(World Health Organization) states that anemia “is a condition in which the number of red blood cells or the hemoglobin concentration within them is lower than normal.” This causes fatigue, shortness of breath, and dizziness in young girls as they tackle everyday life. Due to this, they are deprived of opportunities and lose belief in their capabilities.  According to a survey done by the National Family Health Service from 2019 to 2021, about 58.9% of Indian adolescent females(ages 15-19) suffer from anemia. The disorder is impairing the lives of millions of adolescent girls, restraining their physical and cognitive performance, and limiting their overall development. 

According to a survey done by the National Family Health Service from 2019 to 2021, 58.9% of Indian adolescent girls ages 15–19 are anemic and  In Madhya Pradesh, the numbers are even grimmer, with 67.1% of women between 15 and 49 years suffering from anemia. These statistics indicate a silent but urgent crisis in health holding back a nation’s future, young girls. 

Aanchal: A Circle of Care for Rural Girls and Women

In the remote tribal and rural regions of Madhya Pradesh’s Narsinghpur District, young girls grow up facing health challenges in silence. From anemia and poor menstrual hygiene to early tobacco use and no awareness of breast or cervical cancer, many suffer in isolation, without access to care, education, or support.

In response to this critical need, the Sukarma Foundation launched Project AANCHAL( Anemia & Nutrition Care for Healthy Adolescents & Ladies) —a girl-centric rural health initiative that offers early diagnosis, treatment, health education, and long-term community-based support. “Aanchal,” symbolising protection and dignity, is more than a programme—it’s a movement led by local women, empowering girls to take charge of their health and their future.

Step 1: Survey & Identification

Local girls, trained as champions, go door-to-door to conduct surveys, building rapport and collecting key health and social data. 

Step 2: Screening & Education

Each girl undergoes basic blood tests to identify anaemia, TSH, ferritin and B12. Alongside testing, interactive sessions using Red Box menstrual kits provide education on menstrual health, nutrition, and early signs of disease.

Step 3: Diagnosis, Treatment & Support

Girls diagnosed with health issues receive free medication for the next three months, nutritional counselling, and follow-up care. Outreach workers provide regular home visits and emotional support. Serious cases are referred to government health facilities for advanced care.

This model ensures that girls not only receive treatment but also grow confident in understanding and managing their own health.

Impact Snapshot (as of June 2025)

Impact Area Results
Villages touched  24 (including 14 tribal)
Adolescent Girls Reached 1000+
Women Reached 1000+
Families Engaged 10,000+
Anemia Cases Identified 80% of girls screened
Girls Receiving Free Medication 1000+
Awareness Events & Nukkad Nataks 50+
School Workshops 40+
Trained Outreach Workers 7 
Peer Leaders 24 Champion Girls

Rinki, a 14-year-old from a tribal village of Narsingpur, had never spoken about her periods, skipped school regularly due to fatigue, and quietly used gutkha like others in her home. After joining Aanchal, she received her first hygiene kit, learnt to track her cycle, and was diagnosed with severe anemia. She now takes her iron supplements daily and proudly leads a peer group of younger girls in her village — becoming a Champion Girl herself.

 “Seva is not just our work — it’s our sadhana.


 I am truly blessed to work with the Aanchal team. It’s God’s grace that we are able to reach deep into tribal communities where care has never arrived before.
 I’ll never forget the man in Kheri village who said, ‘Please come to our village too. Our daughters need this care.’ That request alone is our true compliment.
 Keep going, team. May we continue to reach more hearts, more villages, and more futures.”
                                                                       — Dr. Anu Kothari

💬 Join the Movement

At Sukarma Foundation, we believe that empowering one girl empowers an entire community. Through Aanchal, we are not just delivering healthcare — we are nurturing leadership, building awareness, and planting seeds of lasting change. Because every girl deserves dignity. Every girl deserves care. Every girl deserves her Aanchal.