Nationwide vitamin A and deworming program for children begins today

Kathmandu: The government is providing vitamin ‘A’ to children across the country today and Monday. Under the National Vitamin ‘A’ Program, the Ministry of Health and Population has started providing deworming medicine along with vitamin ‘A’ for two days, informed Lilabikram Thapa, head of the Nutrition Branch of the Department of Health Services.

According to him, under the program, about 2.2 million children aged six to 59 months will be given vitamin ‘A’ capsules. Similarly, about 2 million children aged one to five years have also been given the deworming medicine ‘Albendazole’. For this, local levels have established vaccination centers at convenient locations. About 52,000 female health volunteers and 15,000 health workers have been mobilized for the program.

Doctors say that vitamin A plays an important role in eye health, immunity, and the growth and development of children, while deworming medicine removes intestinal worms and protects children from problems such as malnutrition, anemia, stomach aches, and diarrhea.

The program, which started in eight districts in 2050 BS for the prevention and treatment of vitamin A deficiency, was implemented nationwide from 2059 BS.

Similarly, the deworming program, which started in 13 districts from 2056 BS for the control and prevention of worms, was implemented in all districts from 2067 BS. Free vitamin A and deworming medicines are provided in Kartik and Baisakh of every fiscal year.