Children from 6-60 months in 22 provinces having high stunted growth rates will be given free vitamin A supplements on the National Micronutrient Day (June 1^st-2^nd), Director of the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) Le Danh Tuyen said on May 25^th.

Illustrative photo. (Photo: VNA)

The national drive also provide vitamin A capsules for children from 6-36 months in the remaining 41 cities and provinces, children at risk of micronutrient deficiency (malnourished and sick), and postpartum mothers, Tuyen said.

During the campaign, children aged from 24 months to less than 60 months in the 22 localities will also be dewormed, the health official said, adding that the information work will be intensified to raise public awareness of malnutrition and micro-nutrient deficiency.

The distribution of vitamin A supplements has become an annual activity at 11,000 wards and communes nationwide, benefiting nearly 1 million under-five children each year.

The NIN reported that the number of under-five children suffering from underweight in Vietnam dropped from 30.1 per cent in 2000 to 14.1 per cent in 2015 and only 13.8 per cent in 2016.

Vietnam has also eradicated blindness due to vitamin A deficiency and improved public awareness about micro-nutrient, the institute said.

However, the national rate of stunted growth among children still remained high at 24.3 per cent in 2016 and unequal between regions, with big gaps between mountainous, disadvantaged and rural areas, and cities and delta regions.

Therefore, preventing micronutrient deficiency is one of the six important goals of the National Strategy on Nutrition for 2011-2020.

NIN Deputy Director Truong Tuyet Mai said providing micronutrient supplements for high-risk groups such as children and new mothers is a fast and timely measure to reduce the situation of micronutrient deficiency.

Medium-term measures such as adding micronutrient supplements to essential foods, and long-term, sustainable measures such as adding perse food products to daily meals are being taken to solve the problem of micronutrient deficiency in Vietnam.

Adding micronutrient supplements to essential foods is a simple, effective way of improving daily meals, health, and quality of life, she said.

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said over the years, that the country and health sector in particular have paid attention to protecting and caring for people’s health, including prevention of malnutrition and micronutrient deficiency, especially for women and children.

Thus, the country has reaped significant achievements, as the rate of malnutrition in under-five children dropped to 13.8 percent in 2016. Vietnam has erased blindness due vitamin A deficiency and people’s awareness about micronutrient has been improved, Long added.

To tackle remaining challenges, he instructed People’s Committees of all provinces and centrally-run cities to effectively implement campaigns providing vitamin A supplements and treatment of helminth infection, ensuring that 98 per cent of children receive the supplements during the campaign.

Communication campaigns should also be enhanced to encourage families to join concerted efforts in preventing malnutrition and micronutrient deficiency as well as ensuring food security, said the official.

People should incorporate a variety of food sources in their daily meals, especially food rich in micronutrients. New mothers are encouraged to breastfeed their newborns within the first one hour of birth, and give their babies no food or drink other than breast milk for the first six months.

Micronutrient deficiency is a persistent health problem in Vietnam, and requires proper attention and more investment from the Government.

On Micronutrient Day, dissemination and educational activities will be held nationwide to raise public awareness about good nutrition and promote food hygiene and safety./.

VNF