NEPAL NATIONAL VITAMIN A PROGRAM. Nepal Vitamin A Program Objectives reduce child mortality and prevent xerophthalmia through supplementation of children.

NEPAL NATIONAL VITAMIN A PROGRAM

Nepal Vitamin A ProgramObjectives

• reduce child mortality and prevent xerophthalmia through supplementation of children 6-60 months of age with high-dose vitamin A capsules

• reduce vitamin A deficiency to a level that no longer constitutes a public health problem.

Nepal Vitamin A ProgramImplementation Strategy

• twice yearly supplementation

• community-based

• female volunteers (FCHVs)

• vit A and health education

• monitoring and evaluation

Nepal Vitamin A ProgramImplementation Strategy

• training

• logistics support

• assistance with education and promotional activities

• field supervision

• monitoring and evaluation.

Nepali Technical Assistance Group (NTAG)

FCHV giving Vitamin A

CHALLENGES

Nepal Vitamin A Program

NVAP Initiated Districts

All 75 Districts are

covered now

35,329

29,12026,698

20,880

16,36514,727

12,581

8,486

9692

9686 86

90 9290

0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

1993/94 1994/95 1995/96 1996/97 1997/98 1998/99 1999/00 2000/01

Num

ber

of D

eath

s A

vert

ed

0

20

40

60

80

100

% C

overage

Estimated Child Deaths Averted

Coverage (6-59 months)

Child Deaths Averted by Vitamin A Supplementation

Trend in Under-Five Mortality

91

94

73

56

158

126

118

161

196

75

0

50

100

150

200

1983 1988 1993 1998 2003 2008

Based on 2001 DHS Based on 1996 DHS Projected from 1996 Projected from 2001

Trend based on the equation: Y = 211.66 exp -0.1379x

Dea

ths

per

100

0 li

ve b

irth

s

• community-based, female community health volunteers

• slow, consistent, gradual expansion• GON ownership, enabling policy environment• donor coordination • community empowerment and ownership• support systems strengthened• NTAG

Nepal Vitamin A Program Elements of Success

The Future …