Past, present and future of anaemia research at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi: Learning for academic institution engagement in public health policy and programmes.

Anaemia remains a critical public health issue globally and, in India, with iron deficiency being its leading cause. AIIMS, New Delhi, has played a pioneering role in anaemia research and control since the 1960s, contributing significantly to scientific understanding, policy formulation, and programme implementation. This review aims to synthesize the breadth of research on anaemia conducted at AIIMS, New Delhi, and derive key learnings for institutional engagement in public health policy and programmatic action. Literature from PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, policy documents, and institutional archives was reviewed. Studies led by the AIIMS faculty addressing various domains of anaemia were included and thematically categorised. Thirty-seven studies were included, encompassing research domains such as prevalence and etiological studies, iron dosage trials, maternal and neonatal outcomes, micronutrient deficiencies, oral and parenteral iron therapy, food fortification, monitoring strategies, point-of-care diagnostics, and validation studies. The findings from AIIMS research have influenced national guidelines, particularly in establishing iron dosage protocols and advocating for novel parenteral iron formulations. The establishment of the National Centre of Excellence and Advanced Research on Anemia Control (NCEAR-A) at AIIMS further institutionalizes its role in technical leadership, evidence generation, and capacity building. AIIMS, New Delhi's sustained and multidisciplinary research engagement, has shaped anaemia control strategies in India. This review highlights the potential of academic institutions to influence public health through evidence-based research, policy input, and innovation. Future directions include exploring nanomedicine, enhancing iron bioavailability, promoting dietary diversity, and strengthening behavioural interventions.