Action - Nutrition International - Bangladesh - Vitamin A supplementation

Programme: Nutrition International - Bangladesh

Programme description

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 Bangladesh are to:

  • Support the twice yearly National Vitamin A Campaigns.
  • Provide technical assistance on a national level for the revision of key policy, guidelines and strategy documents through participation in the VAS Technical Working Group.
  • Provide intensified support to 240 Hard-to-Reach unions in 12 districts through the deployment of NI-hired District Coordinators.
  • Provide training for front-line health workers, supervisors, managers and volunteers.

These activities are being implemented in partnership with the Institute of Public Health and Nutrition, Director General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Government of Bangladesh and the VAS Technical Working Group. Progress is being achieved nationally through technical assistance and financial support and sub-nationally by supporting 240 hard-to-reach unions of 46 upazillas in the 12 districts of Jamalpur, Kishorgonj, Netrokona, Sirajgonj, Gaibandha, Satkhira, Noakhali, Barisal, Barguna, Patuakhali, Sylhet and Sunamgonj. NI support to Bangladesh’s VAS program began in 1999 and is ongoing.

Programme type

National

References

[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.

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Revision log

DateUserLogState
Tue, 10/02/2018 - 16:19engesveenkEdited by GINAadminNI.published
Mon, 10/01/2018 - 21:30GINAadminNIEdited by GINAadminNI.delegated
Wed, 09/26/2018 - 15:29GINAadminNIEdited by GINAadminNI.delegated
Tue, 09/25/2018 - 16:36engesveenkEdited by engesveenk.delegated
Thu, 09/13/2018 - 19:20vhollaEdited by vholla.needs_review
Thu, 09/13/2018 - 19:18vhollaEdited by vholla.draft
Thu, 09/13/2018 - 16:37vhollaEdited by vholla.draft
Thu, 09/13/2018 - 16:36vhollaAction created by vholla.draft