Strengthening the prevention of malnutrition in children under 5 years old

(Baonghean) - To strengthen the work of preventing and combating child malnutrition, meeting the requirements in the new situation, on August 8, 2014, the Provincial People's Committee issued Directive No. 10/CT-UBND requesting:

1. Heads of provincial departments, branches and sectors, Chairmen of People's Committees of districts, towns and Vinh City shall seriously organize the implementation of the work of preventing and combating child malnutrition; closely follow the target of reducing the rate of malnutrition in children under 5 years old according to Decree No. 10-NQ/TU dated April 4, 2014 of the Provincial Party Standing Committee on promoting the development of healthcare in Nghe An province by 2020; develop plans and solutions for synchronous implementation of organization, professional expertise and inter-sectoral coordination in the work of preventing and combating malnutrition in children under 5 years old; incorporate the contents of preventing and combating malnutrition in children under 5 years old into the annual action plans of their sectors and levels.

2. The Department of Information and Communications shall preside over and coordinate with the Department of Health to direct the implementation of extensive propaganda activities among the people with many rich and diverse forms suitable for each target group in order to raise people's knowledge and awareness of the purpose, meaning, content and importance of the work of preventing and combating malnutrition in children under 5 years old, especially in rural, mountainous and ethnic minority areas.

3. The Department of Health coordinates with the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs and the Department of Education and Training to annually conduct surveys and assess the situation of child malnutrition in the province in accordance with regulations; at the same time, direct affiliated units to develop specific programs for the prevention and control of malnutrition in children under 5 years old to advise authorities at all levels for timely leadership and direction.

4. The Department of Health shall coordinate with the Department of Education and Training and localities to organize nutrition education widely among the people, focusing on instructing on how to breastfeed, organizing reasonable meals for children; increasing the rate of children eating at school, improving physical facilities, expanding health care services and strengthening the nursery system at the grassroots level; providing clean water, protecting the environment; preventing and combating infectious diseases in children; checking food hygiene and safety... to create conditions for health care and preventing and combating malnutrition in children, striving to rapidly reduce the rate of malnourished children in the area.

5. The Department of Finance shall advise the Provincial People's Committee on necessary funding to contribute to ensuring that the work of preventing and combating child malnutrition in the province achieves good results.

6. Effectively implement the socialization of child malnutrition prevention and control work. Sectors and levels pay attention to investment from the State budget and mobilize individuals and organizations inside and outside the province and abroad to support equipment and technical facilities for child malnutrition prevention and control work; continue to pay attention to implementing allowances and policies, and professional training for staff working with children at the grassroots level, especially in rural and mountainous areas.

7. Propose that the Provincial Fatherland Front Committee, social organizations and unions closely coordinate with the health sector and related sectors to disseminate knowledge about nutrition to union members; propagate and educate union members to clearly understand that preventing and combating child malnutrition is the task of the whole society; each union member and union member must be responsible for doing a good job of preventing and combating child malnutrition and mobilizing everyone to do the same.

8. The Provincial People's Committee requests all levels, sectors, units and localities to have specific plans and measures to implement this Directive, and report to the Provincial People's Committee on the implementation results every 6 months and every year (through the Department of Health for synthesis and reporting).