Recently, the Institute of Nutrition announced that from June 1 to 2, 2006, during the “Micronutrient Day”, nearly 4 million children aged 6 to 36 months and mothers who have given birth within the last month will receive free high-dose vitamin A capsules.
In addition, there will be nutrition-related activities aimed at enhancing mothers’ knowledge and practices regarding child nutrition and care, as well as weighing and measuring children under 5 years old…
According to Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Cong Khan, the Director of the Institute of Nutrition, pre-clinical vitamin A deficiency and iron deficiency anemia are significant causes of increased morbidity and mortality rates, hindered growth in children, and heightened risks of obstetric complications and maternal mortality, ultimately reducing children’s intellectual development potential.
Calculations indicate that out of 1,600 annual deaths, 192 (12%) cases are related to anemia caused by iron deficiency.
Statistics from the Institute of Nutrition reveal that the rate of malnutrition in Vietnam remains high compared to other countries in the region.
Currently, there are over 1.8 million children suffering from malnutrition (underweight), with more than 2.1 million children being stunted and 337,000 children suffering from severe malnutrition. The rate of child malnutrition in some remote areas remains alarmingly high, with over one-third of children in the Central Highlands, Northwest region, and North Central region affected by malnutrition.
L.Hà
