Nepal Launches Nationwide Vitamin A and Deworming Campaign for Children

Kathmandu. The government is administering Vitamin 'A' to children across the country today and Monday. Lila Bikram Thapa, Chief of the Nutrition Section at the Department of Health Services, stated that under the National Vitamin 'A' program, the Ministry of Health and Population has begun providing Vitamin 'A' along with deworming medication.

According to him, approximately 2.2 million children aged six to 59 months will receive Vitamin 'A' capsules under the program. Similarly, about 2 million children aged one to five years are being administered the deworming drug 'Albendazole'. For this purpose, local levels have established vaccination centers at convenient locations. Approximately 52,000 female community health volunteers and 15,000 health workers have been mobilized for the program.

Doctors state that Vitamin 'A' plays a crucial role in vision, immune system strength, and the growth and development of children, while deworming medication helps eliminate intestinal parasites and protects children from issues such as malnutrition, anemia, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

The program, which began in eight districts in 2050 BS to prevent and treat Vitamin 'A' deficiency, was implemented nationwide starting in 2059 BS. Similarly, the deworming program, which started in 13 districts in 2056 BS, was expanded to all districts in 2067 BS.

Vitamin 'A' and deworming medication are provided free of charge every fiscal year in the months of Kartik and Baisakh.