Introduction
Vitamin A Program: Nepal Government has initiated the National Vitamin A Program (NVAP) in 1993 to improve the Vitamin A status of children aged 6‐59 months and reduce child mortality. This program has been recognized as a global success story of public health interventions with the consistent coverage of over 85 per cent. It initially covered 8 districts and was scaled up nationwide by 2002. FCHVs distribute the capsules to the targeted children twice a year through a campaign-style activity.
Biannual deworming tablets distribution: Family Welfare Division, DoHS has been implemented biannual deworming tablets distribution to the children aged 12-59 months aiming to reduce childhood anaemia with control or parasitic infestation through public health measures. This activity is integrated with biannual Vitamin A supplementation to the children aged 6-59 months, which takes place nationally in every ward on the first week of Baisakh and Kartik each year. Deworming to the target children was initiated in few districts during the year 2000 integrating with biannual Vitamin A supplementation and with gradual scaling-up, the program was successfully implemented nationwide by the year 2010.
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Government’s initiations to control of vitamin A deficiency in Nepal
- The biannual supplementation of high dose vitamin A capsules to 6-59 month-olds.
- Postpartum vitamin A supplementation for mothers within 42 days of delivery.
- Strengthen implementation of vitamin A treatment protocol for severe malnutrition, persistent diarrhoea, measles and xerophthalmia.
- Nutrition education to promote dietary diversification and consumption of vitamin A-rich foods.
- Ensuring the availability of vitamin A capsules at health facilities.
- Increase awareness of the importance of vitamin A supplementation.
- The biannual distribution of vitamin A capsules to 6 to 59-month olds through FCHVs.
- Advocate for increased home production, consumption and preservation of vitamin A-rich foods.
- Strengthen the use of the vitamin A Treatment protocol.
Source: DOHS Annual Report.
National Vitamin ‘A’ program 2020
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The government of Nepal has rescheduled the national Vitamin ‘A’ program for 2020 on July 6 and 7. The programme mentioned in the regular calendar of the Ministry for Health and Population was on April 18 and 19. It was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation.
COVID-19 Safety precaution will be followed on the National Vitamin A program of Nepal such as
- Arrangement of Soap and Water for Hand Washing, Sanitizer will be available.
- Wearing a face mask is compulsory.
- Maintain 2 meters of Physical distancing.
