Each third child in Moldova younger than five suffers from anaemia

Each third child in Moldova younger than five years and each third woman of fertile age suffers from anaemia. Some 50-60% of the pregnant women experience a deficiency of iron, experts say. The problem of nutritional deficiencies and their impact on the Moldovan population’s health was discussed at the meeting of the Investigation Journalists’ Club organized in concert with UNICEF on September 21. Svetlana Stefanet, programme coordinator at UNICEF, said that there are several ways of preventing the deficiency of micronutrients in the body: fortification of the food products, supplementation with medical preparations and the education of the population. According to Svetlana Stefanet, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Health, in concert with UNICEF, are drafting a Government Decision on the eradication of disorders caused by iron deficiencies. A group of foreign experts contracted by UNICEF will assess the cost of supplementing the flour with iron and folic acid, one of the most efficient methods for improving health. The working group composed of representatives of the two ministries is analyzing the technical specifications needed to modify the flour production technology. Paediatrician Ala Holban said that the deficiency of micronutrients and vitamins in the body contributes to lower immunity, slower development and reduced productivity and concentration and intellectual capacities. She underlined that the iron deficit cannot be eliminated only if consuming products rich in iron such as red meat and green vegetables. Under the national health insurance programme, the children and pregnant women are provided with medicine that contains iron free of charge.