Guest MonkeySee Posted January 20, 2009 Posted January 20, 2009 BANGKOK: -- The Public Health Ministry yesterday approved a Bt1.2 billion plan to raise the average intelligence level of Thai children and to help them grow healthier and taller. The plan aims to lift the Intelligence Quotient (IQ) of Thai children to average scores of 110 [iQ denotes the ratio of a person's intelligence to the statistical norm] and- reflecting their good health- have them standing 175 centimetres tall. Currently, Thai children have an average IQ score of 103 and an average height of 165 cm. Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai revealed the plan was launched in response to findings that Thai children's physical and intellectual development was still lower than international standards. It will be based on improved nutrition and care starting from pregnancy. According to ministry records, over 90,000 babies are born underweight or below 2,500 grams each year. Malnutrition during pregnancy was blamed as the main cause, leaving many babies lacking the much-needed vitamin A, iron, folic acid, and zinc. Malnourished babies often die within a month after birth because of low blood sugar level, or end up suffering from pneumonia and delayed physical development. To stop such problems, Wittaya said the public health department would hand out free multi-vitamins to 800,000 pregnant women through hospitals across the country. Multi-vitamins, containing essential minerals as folic acid, zinc, vitamin A, calcium, iodine, will be provided to the women, one tablet per day for nine months. The multi-vitamins would reduce the risk of premature birth, boost the mother's immune system, improve hormone growth, strengthen bones, lower the risk of toxaemia, and develop nerve cells. The public health department has also teamed up with administrative organisations nationwide to help encourage children's emotional and intellectual development. The department's director general Dr Chatree Banchuen said his agency would also teach parents about how to develop children's learning skills. To babies born this Saturday, the public health ministry will give a cartoon-version of "Phra Mahachanok" - His Majesty's best selling book. The book is based on a traditional Jakata story from Buddhist scripture. The gift celebrates National Children's Day, which falls on the second Saturday of January every year. In a related development, the Department of Disease Control says it is boosting its fight against infectious disease among children in kindergartens and nurseries - especially hand-foot-mouth disease, pneumonia, and diarrhoea - diseases that affect over 100,000 children, aged under five years, nationwide. The department will provide training for nannies in disease prevention in nurseries and kindergartens. It will also produce 2,000 cartoon books telling stories for children about disease prevention. And the department of medical science will conduct a screening test for autism and intellectual disabilities in new born babies to reduce mental retardation among children. -- The Nation 2009-01-08 Quote
Guest shebavon Posted January 22, 2009 Posted January 22, 2009 This is really nice to hear. I have good feelings about the Abhisit Government, and believe he is making some really good decisions that will break the Thaksin party's lock on the electorate. He is taking Newin's advice to spend money on Issan to heart. Quote
