Micronutrient Priority Areas of Action
Vitamin A
1. Strengthening VAC supplementation strategy for children aged 6-59 months, especially those living in hard-to-reach areas and moderately malnourished children.
2. Revisiting existing policy for post-partum VAC supplementation programme in the context of recent WHO recommendation.
3. Reinforcing compliance by private sectors as key players in the vitamin A fortification program.
Iodine
1. Revising existing Salt Law to implement the use of iodized salt in livestock and processed food.
2. Declaring USI as a programme of national importance and intervening in a mission mode (Salt Mission).
3. Transforming USI project into a sustainable programme and mainstreaming USI activities within NNS.
4. Initiating a Market Intervention Operation (MIO) to determine the right price for consumers.
5. Introducing iodized salt into safety net programmes.
6. Taking strong administrative action against non-performing mills.
7. Imposing restriction on import of refined edible salt, with proper quality checks and with the exception of emergency situations.
Iron
1. Reviewing policy on IFA supplementation guidelines for adolescent girls and NPNL women; consider adding other micronutrients to supplements.
2. Considering policy on multiple micronutrient supplementation during pregnancy.
3. Need based targeted MNP supplementation programme for young children aged 6-23 months.
Zinc
1. Developing and implementing policy on rice fortification with zinc as one of the multiple micronutrients for the poorest group through government safety net programmes and other groups (open market sale, rationing, etc.).
2. Considering bio-fortification of rice with zinc for mass populations.
Vitamin B12
1. Considering possibility of adding animal source foods in appropriate form for vulnerable groups through safety net and food security programme. This can also increase consumption of other micronutrients, such as vitamins A, D, B12, iron and zinc.
Vitamin D and Calcium
1. Developing and implementing policy on food fortification with vitamin D (such as edible oil – consider double fortification).
2. Strengthening calcium supplementation during pregnancy, as per WHO guideline.