Vitamin A and deworming campaign for children begins

KATHMANDU: The government has begun administering vitamin A supplements and deworming medicine to children across the country from today and Monday under the National Vitamin A Program.

The Ministry of Health and Population, through the Department of Health Services, has launched the two-day campaign that also includes deworming medication, said Lila Bikram Thapa, Chief of the Nutrition Branch.

According to the programme, around 2.2 million children aged six to 59 months will receive vitamin A capsules, while about 2 million children aged one to five years will be given the deworming medicine Albendazole.

Local levels have set up distribution centres at convenient locations, with the mobilization of around 52,000 female community health volunteers and 15,000 health workers nationwide.

Health experts say vitamin A is essential for children’s eye health, immunity and growth, while deworming medicine helps eliminate intestinal worms and prevents malnutrition, anaemia, stomach pain and diarrhoea.

The program, which began in eight districts in 2050 BS to address vitamin A deficiency, was expanded nationwide in 2059 BS. Similarly, the deworming initiative started in 13 districts in 2056 BS and was extended across the country in 2067 BS.

Free vitamin A and deworming medicines are distributed twice a year, in Baisakh and Kartik, under the national child health campaign.