Children have been 'starved' of vitamin A for over six months.

On the morning of June 1st, many parents in Dong Hoi City, Quang Binh province, complained that when they took their children to the neighborhood hall for their regular vitamin A supplementation, they were told "we don't have vitamin A" by the health staff.

Ms. N. (residing in residential area 2, Nam Ly Ward, Dong Hoi City) stated that she has a young child and wanted to give him vitamin A supplements every two years. However, in December 2022, the ward's health station announced on Facebook that they did not have vitamin A. Most recently, on May 31st, the residential area announced, "Bring your child to the community center on the morning of June 1st to receive vitamin A and deworming medication." But upon arrival, she was again informed by health officials that they did not have vitamin A.

Vitamin A has a significant impact on children's development.

According to our investigation, vitamin A deficiency in children is not only occurring in Nam Ly Ward but also in all wards and communes in Dong Hoi City.

A representative from the Thuan Duc commune health station (Dong Hoi City) confirmed that the station has not received any vitamin A for children since the end of 2022. The representative stated that they have not seen any allocations from higher authorities and do not know why.

On the morning of June 1st, Mr. Phan Tien Hoang, Head of the Nutrition Department at the Quang Binh Center for Disease Control (CDC Quang Binh), stated that vitamin A deficiency is occurring throughout Quang Binh province. Mr. Hoang also mentioned that many provinces nationwide are facing a similar situation.

According to Mr. Hoang, the reason is that this type of vitamin is sponsored by an American pharmaceutical company and supplied annually to Vietnam through the National Institute of Nutrition. "Recently, due to Covid-19, the shipment to Vietnam was delayed, and since this is a sponsored type of vitamin A, it's not sold on the market, hence the delay," Mr. Hoang said.

However, according to Mr. Hoang, two days ago they received information that vitamin A had arrived at the National Institute of Nutrition and that the Quang Binh CDC had sent someone to pick it up. "We plan to distribute the vitamin A to health stations so that children can take it in the coming days," Mr. Hoang said.

According to Mr. Hoang, Quang Binh province is allocated approximately 100,000 vitamin A tablets to be distributed free of charge to eligible children.

According to health experts, vitamin A has a significant impact on children's development, and a deficiency can easily lead to many serious illnesses.

Taking vitamin A helps children strengthen their immune system, fighting off infectious agents; improves visual health, keeping their eyes sharp; promotes healthy development in all aspects; protects epithelial tissues, the small intestine, tracheal mucosa, and secretory glands; increases resistance and prevents infectious diseases, tuberculosis, tetanus, measles, or cancer; and ensures the full and healthy development of the skeletal system.

Vitamin A deficiency can lead to stunted growth, malnutrition, or developmental delays in children. Early symptoms include night blindness (reduced ability to see light), making mucous membranes and epithelial tissues more vulnerable. Severe corneal damage can lead to blindness, weaken the immune system, reduce resistance to disease, and increase the risk of severe infections and illnesses such as respiratory infections, diarrhea, or measles.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/quang-binh-tre-em-doi-vitamin-a-hon-nua-nam-185230601143354628.htm