Deputy PM Vu Duc Dam highlighted the need to improve nutrition indicators of Viet Nam at the High-level launching of the report on state of the world’s children 2019 and a framework on complementary feeding and maternal nutrition improvement in Viet Nam on October 16 in Ha Noi.  

Deputy PM Vu Duc Dam attends the High-level launching of the report on state
of the world’s children 2019 and a framework on complementary feeding and
maternal nutrition improvement in Viet Nam on October 16 in Ha Noi.
- Photo: VGP/Tran Manh 

 Speaking at the event, Dam affirmed that the Vietnamese Government is concerned about ensuring nutrition for mothers and children, adding that the nation has taken part in international commitments and  issued and realized policies, programs and master plans on the work. 

The Deputy PM referred to Vietnamese people's unreasonable intake as meals of around 57% of them lack vegetables and micronutrients and vitamins. People tend to consume more salt or drink more beers and wine. 

25% of Vietnamese children are stunted due to malnutrition, he said, adding that the proportion reaches 30% at mountainous Northwest and the Central Highlands while the figure only stands 8% at Asia and Asia-Pacific region. 

To overcome these shortcomings, Dam stressed the necessity to enhance communications works to raise the awareness of local people on nutrition in line with effectively launching policies, plans and programs on nutrition. 

He expressed his hope that thanks to the event, the participation of the whole society and sponsors from the international organizations, nutrition guaranty- the first issue for human development will be effectively implemented.    

Chief Representative of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Viet Nam Rana Flowers said that women and children are suffering from nutrition burdens. Currently, 10.3% of Vietnamese women are underweight, 23.9% low stature, 25.5% exsanguination and 9.8% overweight or fat. 

Meanwhile, 23.85% of Vietnamese children under five are stunted, 5.8% thin, 28% exsanguination and 5.9% overweight. 

The event created an opportunity for malnutrition and stunning among Vietnamese children, thus proposing practical measures in fields of communications, policy-making, financial guaranty, human resources to enhance the production of nutritious food and control unhealthy food in the time ahead.