Every year, an estimated 350 children die from micronutrient deficiency-related diseases in the Dominican Republic. 400 children are born with folate deficiency, which results in neural tube birth defects. Only nine percent of the Dominican Republic has access to fortified sugar and flour as a micronutrients supplement. Vitamin A deficiency increases the risk of birth complications and maternal death. Iron deficiency reduces children learning capacity. In adults, it reduces productivity as it drains the energy level of workers. Fortification of sugar and flour with iron and other vital micronutrients is a proven, low-cost way of addressing the micronutrients deficiency in children and pregnant women. We must expand the national food fortification program especially in rural areas of San Cristobal and Monte Plata where there are high cases of micronutrient deficiency-related deaths. We must also launch public education campaign in every part of the country to inform the public on the need for micronutrients in the human body. I have expounded on these issues in the following sections.
The nature and magnitude of Micronutrient Deficiencies
Every year, 400 children are born with iron deficiency, leading to increased cases of birth and spinal cord defects in young children in the Dominican Republic. 350 deaths in children have been directly related to vitamin A deficiency. Folate deficiency has been shown to increase cases of maternal deaths and childbirth complications, reducing productivity and reduced learning capacity for young children and adolescents.(Paz). In essence, the micronutrient deficiencies issue is a health problem facing the Dominican Republic and requires immediate attention. Over 5% of Dominican Republic children have a goiter, 23% of children between the age of 1 and 5 suffer from low serum retinol, an indication of vitamin A deficiency and 31% of children between the age of 1 and 14 have low hemoglobin, or anemic from iron deficiency(FAO). Although vitamin and mineral deficiencies are preventable, they continue to cause irrevocable damage such as blindness. (Bruno Benoist)
According to Kul Gautam, the Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF, mineral and vitamin deficiencies cause ‘hidden hunger’ and malnutrition. “The ‘hidden hunger’ due to micronutrient deficiency does not produce hunger as we know it. You might not feel it in the belly, but it strikes at the core of your health and vitality. It remains widespread, posing devastating threats to health, education, economic growth and to human dignity in developing countries.”(UNICEF)
Who is at Risk?
Over 3.5 million children and adolescents, Lactating mothers, and pregnant women are at the greatest risk of micronutrient deficiencies in the Dominican Republic. These three groups have a greater need for minerals and vitamins and are more vulnerable to the detrimental consequences of micronutrients deficiencies. The risk is relatively greater in pregnant women as it may result in death during birth. In some cases, the newborn is underweight or impaired mentally. The micronutrient status of a lactating mother determines the development and health of the infant, especially during the first year when the child is breastfeeding. In young children and adolescents, the risk of death from infectious diseases increases with micronutrient deficiencies. It also contributes to impaired mental and physical development(UNICEF)
A factor contributing to Micronutrient deficiencies
Micronutrient deficiency is caused by a lack of five important vitamins and minerals which include Iodine, Folic Acid, Vitamin A, Zinc, and Iron. Iron deficiency causes loss of IQ in children. It also causes anemia in pregnant women and young children. Iodine deficiency is the cause of brain damage and mental retardation. Vitamin A deficiency has the greatest toll on children in the Dominican Republic, affecting the immune systems and causing many deaths every year. Folate deficiency is responsible for severe birth defects in children. On the other hand, Zinc deficiency results in severe malnutrition in children, characterized by respiratory complications and persistent diarrhea. Many Dominican Lacks the necessary knowledge on the importance of consuming foods that contain these important minerals hence aggravating the situation.
Social and Economical consequences of Micronutrients Deficiencies
The social effects of micronutrients include functional outcomes, mental performance, growth and development, morbidity, working capacity, mortality, and overall reproduction of the people in the Dominican Republic. Member of society who suffers from diseases such as blindness and other related disability depend on other people for their day-to-day survival. This dependency creates a huge burden to society’s wellbeing. Micronutrients deficiencies increase the risk of death from infectious diseases due to reduced immune defenses and by compromising normal development. These diseases put a lot of pressure on the Dominican Republic health sector.
Micronutrients deficiencies are responsible “for estimated annual economic losses of 0.4 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP)”(Paz). The cost of treating diseases related to micronutrients deficiencies put a huge burden on both families and the government of the Dominican Republic. Those suffering from diseases related to micronutrients deficiencies do not participate in the workforce, leading to reduced production. The death of productive adolescent and adults also have a direct impact on the economical wellbeing of a family and the larger society.
The solution to address Micronutrients Deficiencies
Food fortification program is the most effective way of addressing micronutrients deficiencies in the Dominican Republic. Through this program, sugar and flour milled for consumption will be fortified with folic acid, iron, vitamin A and B complex. Through this program, families will have access to food that contains necessary nutrients, hence reducing the rate of anemia, vitamin A and Folic Acid deficiency-related diseases by 27%. The number of birth defects like spinal cord and brain injury will also decrease by approximately 20%(Paz). Flour mills and sugar mills throughout the Dominican Republic will participate in this program. The government should introduce laws making the fortification of sugar and wheat a mandatory process in the production of food for domestic consumption.
The public education program will also play a greater role in solving the issue of micronutrients deficiencies. The ministry of health will work closely with the ministry of education, Standards regulation organizations, local government, food processing companies, research groups, consumer’s association’s groups, UNICEF, and WHO in educating the general public on the importance and source of minerals in their body. Public education has been proven as a successful way of addressing micronutrients deficiencies in countries like Nicaragua, Zambia, Chile, and the USA. Currently, there is a pilot program promoting the importance of the consumption of iodized salt in the Western region of the Dominican Republic. The program makes includes radio series produced in local languages targeting mostly women.
References
Bruno Benoist. “Preventing and controlling micronutrient deficiencies.” 2007. Web.
FAO. “Dominican Republic.” 2010. Nutrition and Consumer Protection. 2010. Web.
Paz, Alejandra De La. “Dominican Republic Launches National Food Fortification Program to Reduce Vitamin and Mineral Deficiency.” 2007. Web.
UNICEF. “Micronutrients and Hidden Hunger.” 2010. UNICEF Dominican Republic. Web.