Missing health data in NFHS-6 raise concerns about accountability

The sixth round of India’s National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) has reportedly raised concerns among public health experts because several important health indicators have been removed from the survey. 

The missing indicators reportedly include data on anaemia, child mortality, sex ratio at birth, sanitation, clean cooking fuel access, cancer screening, and HIV awareness. One of the biggest concerns is the removal of all anaemia-related indicators.

In NFHS-5, nearly 67% of children under five and 57% of women aged 15-49 were found to be anaemic. These findings had raised questions about the effectiveness of the government's Anaemia Mukt Bharat programme as per reports. NFHS-6 no longer reports anaemia levels among children, women, pregnant women, or adolescent girls.

The survey has also removed key child mortality indicators, including the neonatal mortality rate, infant mortality rate, and under-five mortality rate. Other removed indicators reportedly include the sex ratio at birth, access to improved sanitation, and access to clean cooking fuel.

Other than this, NFHS-6 no longer tracks cancer screening and HIV/AIDS awareness. The removal of anaemia data comes after controversy surrounding NFHS-5.

New indicators, new priorities

While several indicators were removed, NFHS-6 reportedly introduced 13 new measures. These include data on elderly population, bank account ownership, women's ownership of land or housing, antenatal care, hepatitis-B vaccination, breastfeeding practices, and family planning needs.

NFHS-6 highlights growing health concerns in India. Obesity, diabetes, and hypertension have increased significantly among both men and women. The National Family Health Survey, conducted by the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) under the Union Health Ministry, is India's largest health and demographic survey.

Experts say that stopping data collection does not eliminate public health problems, but it makes holding the system accountable difficult.