Can Tho city records the lowest malnutrition rate among under-five children in the Mekong Delta, at 12.2 percent, according to the municipal Health Department.

The figure is also much lower than the national rate of 15.3 percent.

The result is attributable to strong socio-economic development in the city, which has helped raise locals’ living standards as well as reduce the rate of poor households from 3.9 percent to 2.9 percent.

Additionally, priority was given to creating favourable conditions for women to find jobs and improve household economy.

According to the department’s Director Bui Thi Le Phi, the city has synchronously implemented activities guiding mothers on how to feed their children scientifically, and effectively conducted vaccination campaigns against six kinds of infectious diseases on under-5 children. Pregnant women have been provided with medical check-ups, vitamin A and tetanus injections.

The department also gives priority to reducing the number of cases related to pneumonia and diarrhea in children as the two diseases can cause malnutrition.

The health sector recently provided consultations for nearly 800 Khmer ethnic women on the importance of breastfeeding and micronutrients in food portion, encouraging them to develop agricultural production for more food for children.-VNA