UNICEF gives multi-vitamin supplement to malnourished children

(KPL) More than 6,000 malnourished children from the poorest districts in Savannakhet province were given vitamin and mineral powder by the officers of the UNICEF Nourishment Support Programme.
The Deputy Head of the Mother and Child Division, Public Health Service of Savannakhet province, Dr. Keovilayvanh Phoumsavanh, said that this programme was being implemented in Nong, Sepon, Phin and Viraboury districts in this central province for a six-month trial period. This is the first time that such a programme was carried out and this area was selected because its children were the most malnourished in the country.
Dr. Keovilayvanh also said that the vitamin and mineral supplement powder were given to children aged six months to two years.
Reporting about the programme to National Assembly members and UNICEF delegates during their visit to Phin district on 2 August, she added that the supplements were distributed to target families. The operation commenced on August 1 and would go on for three years. She also said UNICEF officers instructed mothers to mix the powdery supplements containing vitamins A,C,D and E and vitamin B 1,2 and 3 into their food on the basis of half a pack per day.
The UNICEF nutrition expert said that the percentage of malnourished children of the nation was 63.5 per cent, with Nong, Phin, Sepon and Viraboury districts leading the group of districts with the most malnourished children.
On its completion, the UNICEF said the programme would be expanded to 17 districts in eight provinces in the country, namely Luang Prabang, Bokeo, Oudomsay, Houaphanh, Xiengkhouang, Saravane, Sekong and Vientiane province.
The expert also said that by the end of this US$ 1 million programme the percentage of malnourished children would be reduced to 40 per cent.