Vitamin A and Deworming: Safeguarding the Health of Young Children Worldwide

Kathmandu, April 21 -- Approximately 2.3 million children aged from six to 59 months throughout the nation have begun receiving vitamin A supplements as part of a national two-day campaign kicking off today.

According to the Nutrition Section within the Family Welfare Division of the Department of Health Services, approximately 2.1 million children aged from 12 months to 59 months are receiving deworming tablets as well.

“The nationwide vitamin A and deworming initiative has been progressing without issues,” stated Lila Bikram Thapa, head of the department. “We urge all parents of qualifying children to make sure their kids receive both the vitamin A supplementation and the deworming pills.”

Approximately 54,000 female community health volunteers have been dispatched across the country for this initiative. Since 2003, the health ministry has carried out these efforts biannually—in April and October.

Authorities state that distributing vitamin A supplements and administering deworming tablets are essential strategies for averting numerous childhood illnesses and decreasing child mortality rates in children under five years old.

These supplementation initiatives have led to a significant reduction in night blindness among children, with rates now nearly eradicated compared to what they were about two decades ago, as stated by Thapa.

It is believed that vitamin A deficiency plays a role in almost twenty-five percent of child deaths worldwide due to illnesses such as measles, diarrhea, and malaria.

The initiative stands out as a success story in Nepal, having effectively tackled vitamin A deficiency amongst children—a significant public health issue in the nation. It is believed that these consistent supplementation drives have cut down child mortality rates under the age of five by approximately 23 percent.

De-worming medications are essential for preventing numerous illnesses in children and lowering the death rate among kids under five years old, as stated by pediatric health specialists.

The supplementation programs for vitamin A and the deworming initiatives achieved coverage rates exceeding 94 percent, making them the most successful public health efforts within the nation’s history. Nevertheless, these coverage levels have dropped to slightly above 80 percent in more recent times.

Experts in child health assert that vitamin A supplement initiatives play a crucial role in supporting children’s development and shielding them against multiple infectious ailments.