Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a public health problem all around the world, affecting more than 100 countries [1]. A lack of vitamin A weakens the immune system, putting a child at greater risk of disease and early death; and it is also the leading cause of preventable child blindness. The solution for correcting vitamin A deficiency lies in improving the child’s diet – through increased consumption of vitamin A-rich foods, naturally rich or commercially fortified foods such as processed oils or sugar.
In countries where this remains a public health problem, and while food-based solutions are gradually being implemented and scaled-up to reach those populations, giving children 6 to 59 months of age two doses of vitamin A per year can impact a child’s health. Specifically, the range of impact on deaths averted can range from a lower bound cause-specific effect size of 28% (diarrheal deaths averted) to an upper bound of 12%-24% all-cause mortality reduction [2].
Nutrition International is committed to supporting vitamin A supplement (VAS) programs for children 6 to 59 months of age in settings where VAD is a public health problem, as one of the most cost-effective ways to improve child survival.
The main aims of NI’s VAS program in Indonesia are to:
These activities are being implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Health at Central level, Provincial Health Offices, District Health Offices and UNICEF. Progress is being achieved on a sub-national scale in six high-mortality provinces (Banten, West Java, West Nusa Tenggara, North Sumatra, Riau and South Sumatra.). NI support to Indonesia’s VAS program began in 1999 and is ongoing.
[1] WHO. (2013). Micronutrient deficiencies. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/nutrition/topics/vad/en/
[2] Imdad A, Herzer, K, Mayo-Wilson E, Yakoob MY, Bhuta ZA. Vitamin A supplementation for preventing morbidity and mortality in children from 6 months to 5 years of age. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2010, Issue 12.
For more information:
Date | User | Log | State |
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Tue, 10/02/2018 - 16:19 | engesveenk | Edited by GINAadminNI. | published |
Mon, 10/01/2018 - 21:35 | GINAadminNI | Edited by GINAadminNI. | delegated |
Wed, 09/26/2018 - 15:23 | GINAadminNI | Edited by GINAadminNI. | delegated |
Wed, 09/26/2018 - 15:22 | GINAadminNI | Edited by GINAadminNI. | delegated |
Wed, 09/26/2018 - 15:12 | engesveenk | Edited by engesveenk. | delegated |
Tue, 09/25/2018 - 16:36 | engesveenk | Edited by engesveenk. | delegated |
Thu, 09/13/2018 - 20:36 | vholla | Edited by vholla. | needs_review |
Thu, 09/13/2018 - 20:30 | vholla | Edited by vholla. | draft |
Thu, 09/13/2018 - 16:30 | vholla | Edited by vholla. | draft |
Thu, 09/13/2018 - 16:28 | vholla | Action created by vholla. | draft |