More than 6 million children from 6 months to under 60 months old receive free vitamin A supplements

NDO - This year's Micronutrient Day continues to be held on the occasion of International Children's Day with the goal of raising awareness and changing behavior in preventing micronutrient deficiency - an issue of special concern to the health sector and the whole society.

According to Dr. Nguyen Hong Truong, Deputy Director of the Institute of Nutrition ( Ministry of Health ), micronutrient deficiency in Vietnam is still at a level of public health significance.

According to the results of a national survey, 8.9% of children from 6 to 59 months old still have preclinical vitamin A deficiency; 18.1% of children from 6 to 59 months old have iron deficiency anemia and it is noteworthy that nearly 70% of children from 6 to 59 months old have low serum zinc.

The rate of micronutrient deficiency in pregnant women and women of childbearing age is also high, increasing the risk of pregnancy complications, low birth weight and affecting the health of future generations.

The underlying cause of this situation is an unbalanced diet; lack of food diversity; lack of understanding and proper nutrition practices. Meanwhile, official, easily accessible information sources on micronutrients are limited and scattered.

This year's Micronutrient Day (June 1 and 2) continues to be held with the ultimate goal of raising awareness and changing behavior in preventing and combating micronutrient deficiency, an issue of particular concern to the health sector and the whole society.

Micronutrients, although only needed in very small amounts, play a vital role in the physical development, intelligence, stature and health of humans, especially children, pregnant women, nursing mothers and women of childbearing age.

Master, Doctor Nguyen Thi Lan Phuong, Department of Micronutrients (Institute of Nutrition) exchanged information on micronutrient deficiencies and prevention of micronutrient deficiencies.

Responding to Micronutrient Day, the Institute of Nutrition coordinated with localities nationwide to implement a free vitamin A supplementation campaign for over 6 million children from 6 months to under 60 months old, and to implement periodic deworming activities for children from 24 to 60 months old.

This is one of the persistent, practical and effective strategies that Vietnam has successfully maintained for nearly 30 years, contributing to eliminating blindness due to vitamin A deficiency and significantly improving children's nutritional status.

According to nutrition experts, to effectively and sustainably prevent and combat micronutrient deficiencies, it is necessary to implement synchronous solutions: from high-dose supplementation for high-risk groups, to fortifying essential foods such as salt, cooking oil, and wheat flour, to changing consumer behavior and diversifying daily meals. In particular, nutritioneducation and communication plays a pivotal role, as a bridge to bring scientific knowledge to the community.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/hon-6-trieu-tre-em-tu-6-thang-den-duoi-60-thang-tuoi-bo-sung-vitamin-a-mien-phi-post883248.html