Micro-nutrition Day, held annually by the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), aims to reduce health problems related to vitamin A deficiency and iron anaemia in mothers and children.

On the occasion, the institute called on them to improve their health by eating foods that are fortified with iron and vitamin A or other micronutrients every day. It also recommended them to use iodished salt, saying that an education programme will provide essential information to high-risk groups, health workers, women's organisations and Government officials.

NIN’s statistics show every year more than 4 million children aged between six and 36 months receive vitamin A capsules. About 2.8 million mothers get vitamin A capsules, which represent 85.5 percent of demand.

In 2006, the rate of anaemia was 37.6 percent for pregnant women and 36.7 percent for children.

The Ministry of Health aims to reduce malnutrition rates among children aged under five from 23.8 percent to 22 percent in 2007 and to under 20 percent in 2010.