Combating anemia in India: How ZS and SRLC are improving healthcare access and outcomes

It’s common to feel tired, even exhausted, during pregnancy. But for one 20-year-old patient in Gujarat, her exhaustion was a sign of something more dangerous: severe anemia. At seven months pregnant, she had a hemoglobin level of just 4.6 g/dL—far below the healthy range of 11.6-15 g/dL. Thanks to timely medical intervention from Project Anemia, her hemoglobin rose to 10.1 g/dL, and she safely delivered healthy twins.

Addressing anemia in India through data and healthcare partnerships

Anemia remains a critical public health issue in India, especially among women and children. In 2022, ZS partnered with nonprofit Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care (SRLC) to support Project Anemia, a flagship program addressing nutritional-deficiency anemia in Valsad, Gujarat. Over the past two years, the initiative has reached more than 150,000 individuals in underserved communities.

ZS contributes its expertise in healthcare strategy, data analytics and impact measurement to help improve patient outcomes and scale the program’s reach.

Improving maternal and community health through Project Anemia

Project Anemia is operated from the Shrimad Rajchandra Hospital and Research Centre (SRHRC) in Dharampur, Gujarat. The initiative follows a time-bound action plan to identify, treat and reduce nutritional anemia in rural India.

“Socioeconomic factors like income and education drive anemia rates in India,” says Eashita Jaggi, ZS Cares lead and project manager for SRHRC’s pro bono initiative. “By focusing on targeted interventions and expanding healthcare access, we’re driving real, life-changing improvements in the region.”

Driving healthcare equity through pro bono consulting and data insights

Eashita is joined by a cross-functional ZS team including Mohit Sood, Rohit Bhagwat, Karishma Trikha, Shivang Agarwal, Sourabh Joshi, Preeti Premraj, Komal Thakkar, Apoorva L. Sharma and Akshita Vyas. Together, they’ve helped implement:

• Community anemia screening campaigns
• Data-driven outreach and patient education
• Improved diagnosis, treatment protocols and follow-up care
• Analytics dashboards to track key performance indicators (KPIs) and program effectiveness

Their work has improved data quality by 50%, enabling scalability and better decision-making across the program.

Transforming outcomes with digital health analytics

“Since ZS joined the initiative, we’ve impacted over 115,000 lives in remote areas,” says Komal Thakkar, a business technology solutions consultant in Pune. “We’re reaching adults, expectant mothers, women of reproductive age and school-age children—and it’s incredible to see data and compassion combine to make a difference.”

Measurable impact in anemia prevention and treatment

By the numbers, ZS’s support of Project Anemia has led to measurable improvements:

• Caregivers are reaching more patients, with a 15% reduction in time spent per patient
• Screening is more consistent, with 86% of patients now undergoing tests on their first visit—up from 67% in 2022
• Patients are engaging in vital follow-up visits, which increased to 42% in early 2024 from 29% in 2022
• Patient health outcomes are improving, with 63% now testing positive for anemia, down from 80% in the second half of 2023
• Schools have made a significant impact, with 77% of our improving patients now testing as no longer anemic

Real stories of restored health

The program’s impact is felt in stories like that of a 52-year-old man who suffered from chronic fatigue and workplace safety risks. After being diagnosed with severe anemia through Project Anemia, he received a life-saving blood transfusion and ongoing care. Today, he’s healthy, working again and receiving regular follow-ups.

Scaling access to healthcare in India’s rural regions

ZS and SRLC will continue enhancing the program, aiming to expand its reach to new populations and geographies across India. With continued focus on rural healthcare, digital tools and community engagement, the goal is to improve health outcomes sustainably and equitably.

To learn more about how ZSers are improving health outcomes for all, follow us on social media and explore our open positions for opportunities to join us in driving sustainable change.

Life at ZS

Learn what it’s like to be a ZSer: LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

View ZS’s open roles.