The government is preparing to administer Vitamin A supplements to around 2.1 million children across Nepal on November 3 and 4, following the rescheduling of the nationwide campaign due to the Dashain festival.

The first phase of the national Vitamin A programme is generally conducted on the second and third days of Kartik. However, as this year's schedule coincided with Dashain, the campaign has been postponed to Kartik 17 and 18 (November 3 and 4).

According to Lila Bikram Thapa, chief of the Nutrition Section at the Department of Health Services, Vitamin A capsules will be administered to children aged six to 59 months, while deworming tablets will be distributed to children aged one to five years.

The department aims to provide Vitamin A supplements to approximately 2.1 million children and deworming tablets to around 2 million children during the campaign. The necessary supplements have already been dispatched to provincial health supply centres to facilitate the nationwide distribution.

The nationwide campaign will target children aged 6-59 months for Vitamin A supplements and provide deworming tablets to around 2 million children.

The government plans to mobilise approximately 52,000 female community health volunteers and 10,000 health workers for the campaign. Their involvement will be crucial in reaching eligible children across the country, including those in remote and underserved communities.

The national Vitamin A programme has been part of the government's regular public health schedule since 2050 BS, while the distribution of deworming tablets began in 2056 BS.

The programme aims to improve children's nutritional health and prevent health problems associated with Vitamin A deficiency and intestinal worm infections. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to take eligible children to designated distribution points during the campaign.

The nationwide initiative remains an important component of Nepal's child health and preventive healthcare efforts.