NUDEC developed the National Micronutrient Prevention and Control Guidelines for Tanzania

supported by Nutrition International (NI), 2019

The National Micronutrient Guidelines focus on all interventions that aim at prevention and control of micronutrient deficiencies including supplementation, fortification, bio-fortification, dietary diversification, innovations, promotional strategy through the use of social and behavioural change communication, as well as control of infectious diseases and infestations and achievement of household food security.

The guidelines aim at supporting decision makers, programme implementers and academia at various levels in planning, implementation and training on interventions focusing on prevention and control of micronutrient deficiencies. The guidelines also facilitate other health care providers and extension workers in addressing micronutrient deficiencies.

The goal of these guidelines is to contribute towards prevention and control of micronutrient deficiencies in Tanzania.

The objectives of the guidelines are to:

• Provide guidance for optimal prevention and control measures of micronutrient deficiencies for vulnerable groups;
• Provide a framework for planning, decision making, resource mobilization and allocation for micronutrients deficiencies prevention and control interventions;
• Support planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of micronutrient deficiencies prevention and control interventions; and
• Foster partnership between the public and private sector, Civil Society Organizations and communities in addressing micronutrient interventions including supplementation, dietary improvement, fortification, bio-fortification and prevention and control of diseases precipitating micronutrient deficiencies.

The guideline is composed of seven chapters as follows:

1. Chapter One: narrates the general problem of micronutrient deficiencies and its main causes. It highlights the status of the problem globally, regionally and specifically for Tanzania. It also includes efforts undertaken in alleviating the problem in Tanzania; identifies gaps and challenges; process of the development of the guidelines, guiding principles, advocacy, lobbying, gender and cultural sensitivity, research, monitoring and evaluation. The chapter gives the purpose and scope of the guidelines, target, goals and objectives.
2. Chapter Two: describes the micronutrient deficiencies of public health significance in Tanzania including vitamin A deficiency, iodine deficiency disorders, nutritional anaemia, zinc deficiency, folate deficiency and calcium deficiency.
3. Chapter Three: focuses on other micronutrient deficiencies that are also significantly important for optimal function on the body including Selenium, Niacin, Vitamin D, Vitamin B6 and B12 among others.
4. Chapter Four: describes various interventions for prevention and control of micronutrient deficiencies including; supplementation, food-based interventions, agriculture-based interventions and public health interventions.
5. Chapter Five: narrates cross cutting issues including SBCC, gender, and research.
6. Chapter Six: covers Monitoring and evaluation; and
7. Chapter Seven: gives the institutional framework and the roles of different institutions in the prevention and control of micronutrient deficiencies in Tanzania.