Nationwide ‘Vitamin A’ campaign for children begins today

KATHMANDU: The government is conducting the National Vitamin ‘A’ program today and tomorrow (Friday and Saturday) to provide vitamin A and deworming medicine to children.

The Family Welfare Division under the Department of Health Services informed that this year’s National Vitamin ‘A’ program will administer Vitamin ‘A’ and anti-worm medicine over the next two days.

The government has been conducting the program twice every year, with the first phase on October 19 and 20 and the second phase on April 19 and 20.

However, due to the Dashain festival falling on October 19 and 20 this year, the first phase of the program is rescheduled for November 3 and 4.

According to the Department, children aged 6 to 59 months will receive vitamin ‘A’ capsules, while children aged 1 to 5 years will be provided with deworming medicine.

The government aims to provide deworming medication to more than 2.9 million children between the ages of 1 and 5 years, and vitamin ‘A’ capsules to nearly 3.2 million children across the country.

The Department has urged parents to visit the nearest distribution center and ensure their children receive the necessary vitamin ‘A’ and deworming medicine.

The government initiated the distribution of vitamin ‘A’ capsules in 1993 and introduced leprosy medicine along with vitamin ‘A’ in 2001.