Every second woman and child suffers from anemia in Kazakhstan
ASTANA. September 18. KAZINFORM /Gulnara Zhandagulova/ In Kazakhstan every second woman and child suffers from anemia whereas among the male population every third man suffers from anemia; as was informed at the seminar on fortification of flour with vitamins organized by the UNICEF in Kazakhstan.
"I think the problem of anemia among children and women in Kazakhstan is underestimated. 40 percent of Kazakh children and 45 percent of women of childbearing age suffer from this disease", Representative of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Kazakhstan Hanaa Singer said.
She informed of the danger of the disease. "International studies show that lack of iodine and iron reduces children's intellectual development, and IQ coefficient decreases by 10-15 points".
The problem can be solved through the fortification of flour with vitamins and minerals. Adding these minerals to flour will save about 90 000 lives annually.
In order to prevent iron-deficient anemia among children and women of reproductive age in Kazakhstan the UNICEF began an information campaign to raise public awareness of the importance of consumption of food enriched with vitamins and minerals.
Under the information campaign video and audio clips about the benefits of fortified flour, information and educational films for children and teachers will be created. Seminars for journalists, NGOs and millers are planned as well.