On June 1st and 2nd, more than six million children aged 6 to 59 months across Vietnam received free high-dose Vitamin A tablets.
Hoa Binh (VNA) – On June 1 and 2, more than six million children aged 6 to 59 months across Vietnam received free high-dose Vitamin A tablets.
The event was part of activities organised to coincide with Vietnam Micronutrient Day (June 1st), aimed at reducing rates of malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies among children in the country.
Over the past few years, Vietnam has conducted several vitamin A supplementation campaigns, with over 98% of children receiving high-dose vitamin A tablets. This effort has helped Vietnam eliminate blindness caused by vitamin A deficiency and raised public awareness about micronutrients.
Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen urged departments to launch communication campaigns to raise awareness among communities, especially mothers, about micronutrient deficiencies.
In addition, provincial and municipal health authorities have been urged to carry out the campaign in accordance with expert guidance and ensure sufficient supplies of medicines, hygiene, and child safety.
In 2024, children aged 6-59 months in 31 provinces and cities with high rates of stunting will be provided with free Vitamin A supplements. The national campaign will also provide Vitamin A capsules to children aged 6-35 months in the remaining 32 cities and regions, as well as children at risk of micronutrient deficiencies.
The distribution of Vitamin A supplements has become an annual activity in 11,000 wards and municipalities across the country, benefiting approximately one million children under the age of five each year.
According to the National Nutrition Survey conducted by the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) in 2020, the rate of child malnutrition nationwide has been rapidly and sustainably decreasing, of which the rate of malnutrition due to underweight decreased from 33.8% in 2000 to 14.1% in 2015 and 11.6% in 2020.
Providing micronutrient supplements to high-risk groups, such as children and new mothers, is a rapid and timely measure to reduce micronutrient deficiency situations. To address the issue of micronutrient deficiency in Vietnam, medium-term measures, such as adding micronutrient supplements to essential foods, and long-term and sustainable measures, such as adding more diverse foods to the daily diet, are being implemented.
