Illustrative photo (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Children from 6-60 months in 22provinces having high stunted growth rates will be given free vitamin Asupplements on the National Micronutrient Day (June 1-2), Director of the NationalInstitute of Nutrition (NIN) Le Danh Tuyen said on May 25.
The national drive also provide vitamin A capsules forchildren from 6-36 months in the remaining 41 cities and provinces, children at risk of micronutrientdeficiency (malnourished and sick), and postpartum mothers, Tuyen said.
During the campaign, children aged from 24 months to lessthan 60 months in the 22 localities will also be dewormed, the health officialsaid, adding that the information work will be intensified to raise publicawareness of malnutrition and micro-nutrient deficiency.
The distribution of vitamin A supplements has become anannual activity at 11,000 wards and communes nationwide, benefiting nearly 1million under-five children each year.
The NIN reported that the number of under-five childrensuffering from underweight in Vietnam dropped from 30.1 percent in 2000 to 14.1percent in 2015 and only 13.8 percent in 2016.
Vietnam has also eradicated blindness due to vitamin A deficiencyand improved public awareness about micro-nutrient, the institute said.
However, the national rate of stunted growth among children stillremained high at 24.3 percent in 2016 and unequal between regions, with biggaps between mountainous, disadvantaged and rural areas, and cities and deltaregions.
Therefore, preventingmicronutrient deficiency is one of the six important goals of the NationalStrategy on Nutrition for 2011-2020.
NIN Deputy Director TruongTuyet Mai said providing micronutrient supplements for high-risk groups such aschildren and new mothers is a fast and timely measure to reduce the situationof micronutrient deficiency.
Medium-term measures such asadding micronutrient supplements to essential foods, and long-term, sustainablemeasures such as adding diverse food products to daily meals are being taken tosolve the problem of micronutrient deficiency in Vietnam.
Adding micronutrientsupplements to essential foods is a simple, effective way of improving dailymeals, health, and quality of life, she said.-VNA
VNA
