Emcure & MS Dhoni launch anemia awareness campaign for men

Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd. has launched a nationwide campaign to raise awareness about anemia in Indian men, featuring cricket legend MS Dhoni.

Released on International Men’s Day, the campaign aims to shed light on the rising prevalence of anemia among men and encourage early diagnosis and treatment.

Recent data from the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5) reveals alarming anemia rates, with 31% of adolescent boys and 25% of men affected. Anemia is rising particularly among teenage boys (15–19 years) in 23 states and men (15–49 years) in 17 states, posing a growing public health challenge.

Historically, Emcure has focused its awareness efforts on anemia in women. However, with the increasing rates among men, the company is broadening its outreach to tackle this critical issue in the male population.

Anemia, often underreported in health statistics, can lead to decreased productivity, poor performance, and a higher likelihood of developing serious conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Despite these risks, male anemia often goes unnoticed.

To address this, Emcure has launched a dedicated website, anemiafreeindia.com, offering a self-test to check for iron deficiency anemia. In the campaign, MS Dhoni educates men and teenagers about the symptoms of anemia and the importance of early detection and treatment.

Dr. Anupam Sachdeva, Director of Pediatric Hematology at Sri Ganga Ram Hospital, emphasized the urgency of addressing this growing issue.

"The rising prevalence of anemia among men poses a threat to our economic productivity," he said. "Recognizing symptoms like fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and shortness of breath is key to tackling iron deficiency."

Anil Kothiyal, President of India Business at Emcure, highlighted the company’s commitment to combating anemia. “This campaign reinforces our focus on preventive healthcare and tackling anemia, a health issue that often goes unnoticed in men,” he said.

Through this initiative, Emcure reaffirms its commitment to improving health outcomes and addressing the often-overlooked issue of anemia among men.