Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Thanh Hoa (VNA) – The Ministry of Health launchedthe National Micronutrient Day 2019 in the central province of Thanh Hoa on May28 with an aim to promote the physical and mental health development ofchildren, as well as their life quality.
In 2019, the National Institute of Nutrition will focus onproviding children with a number of micronutrients including Vitamin A, iron,and zinc, while supplementing micronutrients into foods.
At the same time, the institute advised families todiversify daily meals for children to ensure healthy growth in their formativeyears.
This year, the institute will offer, free of charge, 14million multivitamin tablets to pregnant women to prevent the deficiency of micronutrientsamong mothers and children in 85 poor districts across the country.
During the annual National Micronutrient Day, spanning fromJune 1-2, six million children under five years old will be given Vitamin A,while millions of others from 20-60 months old will take de-worming medication.
Addressing the launching ceremony, Deputy Health MinisterNguyen Viet Tien said that over the years, Vietnam has been among thosecountries with the most rapid and sustainable reduction in the ratio ofmalnourished children.
However, the ratio of malnourished children is still high,with 2017 reporting 13.4 percent of children underweight for their age, 23.4percent of children with stunted growth problems, and a high percentage of childrenwith Vitamin A deficiencies, he noted.
He stressed the need to implement the national nutritionstrategy for the 2011-2020 period with a view to 2030, while calling forlocalities to take measures to effectively prevent malnutrition.–VNA
VNA
