Dhaka, Feb 17 (UNB) - Under-five and school-aged children are suffering from anaemia in the country, but almost half of all preschool aged children and more than half of women have deficiencies in zinc, says a newly released combined micronutrients survey.

The Institute of Public Health and Nutrition (IPHN), icddr,b, Unicef, and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) jointly conducted the survey.

The findings of the National Micronutrient Survey were revealed at a seminar at icddr,b on Sunday.

In addition to iron and zinc levels, the survey also determined the levels of folate and vitamin B12, and updated the status of vitamin A and iodine nutrition.

The survey is intended to create a benchmark about the progress of health and nutrition programmes in reducing micronutrient deficiencies can be measured.

Senior Secretary of Health and Family Welfare Ministry Humayun Kabir, Unicef representative in Dhaka Pascal Villeneuve, director of Nutrition & Food Security at icddr,b Prof Tahmeed Ahmed, executive director of Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition Marc Van Ameringen, among others, spoke on the occasion.