Vitamin A capsule, De-worming tablet to be administered to children under five years

Kathmandu / Oct 30: The Ministry of Health and Population is administering Vitamin A capsule and De-worming tablet to the children below five years across the nation on October 31 and November 1.

The Ministry launches the program of administering Vitamin A capsule and De-worming tables as a campaign on Baishakh 6 and 7 as well as Kartik 2 and 3 every year. This time, the ministry is going to organize the program on Kartik 14 and 15 as it was postponed due to Dashain festival.

The rural municipalities and municipalities have been leading the program for the first time this year.

Chief of Nutrition Section under the Child Health Division, Kedar Parajuli, said, “All preparations have been completed to provide all these services through 753 local levels across the nation.”

He said that Vitamin A capsule would be administered to around 2.7 million children from six months to five years of age and the de-worming tablets to 23 million 56 thousand 853 children from one year to five years.

Similarly, Balvita would be distributed to around 660,000 children from six months to two years this year. The program is being run since 2008, said Chief of the Division, Dr Jhalak Gautam.

According to the Ministry, Balvita program would be run at 41 districts this time.

Although it has been long time since the program of administering Vitamin A has been started, still four per cent of the children are suffering from Vitamin A deficiency, according to the World Health Organization.

Similarly, the Balvita, micronutrient for children, is also being administered to the children along with Vitamin A. Balvita is being given to children between six months old to less than two years since 2008.

“Vitamin A prevents night blindness in children and increases their immunity power,” said Dr. Jhalak Gautam, Chief of the Child Health Division.

The Balvita which contains 15 various micronutrients is being distributed to about 660 thousand children. According to experts, a child should be given 180 packets of Balvita in 23 months, mixing it with the child’s lunch. The program of administering Balvita will be implemented in 41 districts this time. RSS