"The nutrition improvement strategy is based on the international experience and country’s experience gained during implementation of national projects on fortification of wheat flour, iodizing table salt, promoting breast-feeding," Tashkent Pediatric Medical Institute Vice-Rector, M.D. Dilorom Akhmedova said.

The nutrition improvement strategy is needed to make sustainable the programmes on protection of mothers and children, promotion of a healthy lifestyle, coordination of ministries’ and public organizations’ activities. Targeted arrangements for vulnerable groups - women and children - are of particular importance, says the article.

In 2008, the Uzbek Government started a national flour fortification programme (enrichment in iron, folic acid and other trace elements). The work has already produced results. According to independent studies, anemia among Uzbek women fell from 60% to 35%. Growth and development in children during first five years of life improved. The number of children under 5 years old suffering from anemia decreased by half in Karakalpakstan, Khorezm and Ferghana regions.

"The strategy will expand existing programmes on food fortification and supplementation through enrichment in essential micronutrients. Schoolgirls between 12 and 16 years of age will take tablets with iron and folic acid. A project on enrichment of cotton oil with vitamin A will be realized at a pilot region level. Salt is being iodized. Scientists have proposals to iodize other products using highly iodized mineral water," the newspaper reported.