New Delhi: The central government has not released any health survey reports since 2021. The full results of the fifth National Family Health Survey for 2019-2021 were published in 2023, while the sixth edition covering 2022-2024 period remains unreleased.

The government also last published the National Sample Survey report, which is usually released annually, in 2020. Experts have raised concerns that the delay in releasing health data undermines efforts to meet the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. However, authorities have maintained that the survey has been completed.

The 2019-2021 National Family Health Survey revealed a significant rise in anaemia cases. The removal of Prof. K.S. James, Director of the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), who led the study, sparked controversy. The omission of questions on anaemia in the 2022-2024 survey has also stirred debate.

The previous survey found that anaemia rates among children aged six months to five years had increased from 58.6% in 2015-16 to 67.1% in 2019-21. Health-related studies play a crucial role in shaping government policy priorities.