Micronutrient supplementation
UNICEF supports micronutrient supplementation, in the form of iron-cum-folic acid and vitamin A. Supplements are administered during routine immunization and acceleration campaigns, at maternal and child health centres and via traditional birth attendants. Close to 1 million children between the ages of six months and five years of age were provided vitamin A supplements in 2003. Despite the high supplementation coverage achieved by pairing this with National Immunization Days, there is scope for expanding routine supplementation to other health centres, especially in light of the risks of malnutrition among young children. Data from an anaemia survey completed in 2001 in Somaliland (Northwest) indicated a high prevalence of anaemia, up to 59 percent in some areas, among children from six months to five years of age. Analysis was undertaken to determine the causes of these low haemoglobin levels, which could include dietary habits, weaning practices, malaria and helminthiasis (a parasitic worm infestation). As follow-up to the survey findings, 20 health facilities were equipped with simple, cost-effective devices to screen patients for anaemia. Iron-cum-folic acid supplements for pregnant women are regularly included in the expanded programme on immunization (EPI) acceleration.
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