Illustrative image (Source: VNA)Thanh Hoa (VNA) – The launched
the in the central province of Thanh Hoa on May
28 with an aim to promote the of
children, as well as their life quality.
In 2019, the National Institute of Nutrition will focus on
providing children with a number of micronutrients including , iron,
and zinc, while supplementing micronutrients into foods.
At the same time, the institute advised families to
diversify daily meals for children to ensure healthy growth in their formative
years.
This year, the institute will offer, free of charge, 14
million multivitamin tablets to pregnant women to prevent the deficiency of micronutrients
among mothers and children in 85 poor districts across the country.
During the annual National Micronutrient Day, spanning from
June 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 Minister
Nguyen Viet Tien said that over the years, Vietnam has been among those
countries with the most rapid and sustainable reduction in the ratio of
malnourished children.
However, the ratio of malnourished children is still high,
with 2017 reporting 13.4 percent of children underweight for their age, 23.4
percent of children with stunted growth problems, and a high percentage of children
with Vitamin A deficiencies, he noted.
He stressed the need to implement the national nutrition
strategy for the 2011-2020 period with a view to 2030, while calling for
localities to take measures to effectively prevent malnutrition.–VNA
Source: VietnamPlus
