Stunting, underweight rates among ethnic minority children remain highCambodia, India Discuss Procession of Buddha Relics from India to Cambodia

Hanoi: The rates of stunting and underweight among children aged under five in ethnic groups in Vietnam remain at 31.4% and 21% respectively, according to the National Institute of Nutrition. Speaking at a conference held on December 26 to call for investment and cooperation for national nutrition strategy in the 2024-2030 period with a vision towards 2045, deputy director of the institute Truong Tuyet Mai said that the stunting rate among children aged under five in Vietnam was falling from 29.3% in 2010 to under 18.9% in 2022. Meanwhile, that among school children aged from 5-19 remained at 14.8%. Vietnam still faces difficulties and challenges, as the rate of malnutrition and stunting in children under 5 varies widely between regions, she said. Moreover, the rate of overweight and obesity in children increased from 8.5% in 2010 to 19% in 2020. The rate of overweight and obesity among adults was 19% by 2020. Micronutrient deficiency, especially zinc deficiency and anaemia, among pregnant women, childre n under 5 and women of childbearing age remains high. Participants said to implement the national strategy on nutrition, it's necessary to mobilise resources from agencies, organisations, communities, and people. Nutrition-related regulations are suggested to be part of the disease prevention law, and relevant health problems should be covered by health insurance./. Source: Vietnam News Agency The Ministry of Cults and Religious Affairs of Cambodia and the Ministry of Culture of India have discussed the upcoming procession of Buddha and Preah Arahan relics from India to Cambodia by crossing Thailand. The discussion took place at the Ministry of Cults and Religious Affairs in Phnom Penh on Dec. 27 between H.E. Minister Chay Borin and Mr. Niraj Kumar, Director of Buddhist and Tibetan Institute (BTI) Branch, Ministry of Culture of India. In the meeting, Mr. Niraj Kumar informed H.E. Chay Borin of the fruitful outcomes of his meeting with senior officials of relevant ministries and institutions regarding the preparations for the forthcoming event. For his part, H.E. Chay Borin welcomed the planned procession of Buddha and Preah Arahan relics from India to Cambodia, and requested the Indian side to provide formal documents for the smooth process of the event. Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse