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India, Asia
R. Shobhana, a nurse, checks the blood pressure of Letchumi Neelagiri, 65, who has sickle cell anemia. Neelagiri is from the Irula tribe, which inhabits the southern and eastern slopes of the Nilgiris, a mountainous region in Tamil Nadu state in southeastern India, among other areas. Most Irula women and children suffer from anemia and other health challenges, including scurvy and night blindness, due to food habits and local cultural practices, health experts say. Neelagiri’s blood pressure check is part of a mobile outreach program organized by the Nilgiris Adivasi Welfare Association (NAWA). The program brings medical teams to the Irula every 15 days to check on anemic patients as well as those with other health problems.
