The silent tragic reality of Hidden Hunger, anaemia, and neural-tube defects (NTDs) in India

Abstract

Hidden Hunger arising from nutritional iron-, folate-, and vitamin-B12-deficiencies is exceedingly common in India and has profound negative impacts on anaemia, on pregnancy, and on embryonic-foetal neurodevelopment in utero, which predisposes to NTDs and psychological-psychiatric manifestations in childhood. Whereas younger-to-middle-aged Indians fail to perform at maximum potential, the elderly are at risk for calamitous neurologic events. However, these micronutrient-deficiencies are eminently correctable through food-fortification. Therefore, the Indian Government can no longer afford the luxury of inaction by either denying or downplaying the gravity of this problem. What is critically needed from India's leaders is an urgent, clear-eyed reappraisal and act of anagnorisis—(an often startling self-recognition and discovery of a profoundly serious error and tragic flaw)—in failing to confront this problem for decades. Only when closely followed by a metanoia—(a transformative change of heart that triggers remedial action)—can they help India avoid a catastrophic tryst with destiny.