By Mahima Devkota, Kathmandu, Oct.24: The government has launched a two-day nationwide Vitamin 'A' program today. In the campaign, de-worming tablets and Balvita will also be administered.

According to Kedar Parajuli, chief of the nutrition section under the Family Welfare Division, the Department of Health Services, 2.7 million children between six months to five years will be administered Vitamin A supplements and over 2.3 million children between one year to five years will be given de-worming tablets nationwide, under the campaign that will run for two days, on October 24-25.

Chief Parajuli, said that Vitamin 'A' (half capsuls, 100 thousand units) is administered to children between six months to one year old, and one capsule (200 thousand units) to children from one year to five years

Similarly, the de-worming tablet (Albendazole) will also be administered to children up to five years. Children from one to two years will be given 200 milligrams while those from two years to five years will be given 400 milligrams of this tablet.    

The government has been administering Vitamin 'A' from 1993 and the de-worming tablets since 2000. Vitamin 'A' and de-worming tablets are administered two times a year.   

Likewise, Balvita (micronutrient supplement) will also be distributed to the children from six months to two years from today. The Balvita distribution was started in 2015.

It is given to children of the designated age group in 46 districts of the country.     

The campaign is being launched at 52,000 centers across the country and 52,000 female health volunteers have been mobilized for the purpose.