A new global report indicates that anaemia among Ugandan adolescents is severe and has reached a threshold where it should be considered a national public health issue.

The 10th edition of "UNICEF's Progress for Children" report states that 33% of adolescents are 'mildly anaemic' and 10% 'moderately anaemic', bringing the total to 43%.

According to the medical dictionary, anaemia is a condition of having a lower-than-normal number of red blood cells or quantity of hemoglobin.

The disease diminishes the capacity of the blood to carry oxygen. The report says the disease increases the maternal risk of haemorrhage and sepsis during childbirth. Women and young children are most vulnerable to anaemia due to insufficient iron in their diets.

The report is based on whether world leaders have kept the promise they made in 2000 to help children achieve their potential. Children who were born in the milestone year, when Millenium Development Goals were declared, are now adolescents.