National Vitamin ‘A’ Programme Commences for Children in Nepal

The Department of Health Services has initiated the National Vitamin ‘A’ programme aimed at enhancing the health of children under the age of five, starting today.

As part of this two-day program, Vitamin ‘A’ capsules are being administered to children ranging from six months to 59 months of age, while de-worming tablets are being provided to children between one year and five years old.

Lila Bikram Thapa, the Nutrition Section Head of the Department, stated that the Department has set ambitious targets, aiming to distribute Vitamin ‘A’ capsules to approximately 3.2 million children and de-worming tablets to around 2.9 million children.

Health volunteers are playing a crucial role in administering these supplements, with plans for distribution taking place in every ward. A workforce comprising 52,000 women health volunteers and 10,000 health workers has been mobilized for this purpose.

It’s noteworthy that the government conducts this program free of cost every year in the months of Baishakh and Kartik. The initiative reflects the government’s commitment to improving child health and nutrition, ensuring that essential supplements reach those who need them the most.