For 40,000 children, 2,500 pregnant mothers:

Special nutrients program in Menik Farm

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry will launch a special Multiple Micro Nutrients Program today for 40,000 children and 2,500 pregnant mothers living in five zones in Menik Farm, a Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry spokesman said.

He said the program conducted by the Ministry's Family Health Bureau will take place today and tomorrow. The nutrition program is intended at upgrading the nutrition of children under the age of five and pregnant mothers in welfare villages. According to the statistics of the Ministry there are 40,000 children under five and 2,500 pregnant mothers in all welfare villages.

According to the spokesman the program has been designed based on findings of a research conducted by the Medical Research Institute, Colombo. The program will minimise anemia caused by iron deficiency in children and pregnant mothers.

The program will be launched with UNICEF assistance under the direction of Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva. Deficiency of vitamins reduce the immunity of the human body and such persons are vulnerable to communicable diseases such as diarrhoea. Vitamin A, C, D, E, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Folic Acid, Iron tablets, Zinc, Copper, Selenium and Iodine to be given to them under this program.

This program will significantly improve the health condition of women and children suffering from long time malnutrition under LTTE control.