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Recent Issues In Vitamin A supplementation in India and Strategies for their Prevention and Control

Umesh Kapil , Umesh Kapil , Neha Sareen

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Indian Journal of Preventive Medicine 3(2):p 81-88, July - December 2015. | DOI: DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21088/ijpm.2321.5917.3215.7

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Abstract

Vitamin-A Deficiency (VAD) was a public health problem in 1960s. For prevention and control of VAD, a National Prophylaxis Programme against Nutritional Blindness due to vitamin-A deficiency was initiated in 1970. There has been a steady decline in the prevalence of VAD during last 40 years. The nutritional blindness due to VAD is no more documented; however the programme of universal Vitamin-A Supplementation (VAS) is being continued in the country. Presently, the VAS is possibly being done for reduction in under 5 mortality. The current evidence of VAS on under 5 mortality is poor. In the year 2000, Universal VAS was done in campaign mode by Assam government in collaboration with UNICEF. The deaths were reported amongst children which led to poor credibility of the state government for all community based programmes. Judicial enquiry of VA related deaths in Assam convicted state government and UNICEF for negligence and ordered them to pay compensation to the families of children who died due to VAS in campaign mode. Thus, areas with VAD should be identified and the VA prophylaxis and treatment for VAD should be undertaken. What the poor children need is more “FOOD” – not pills, tablets or sprays. Make food intake adequate enough to provide basic energy needs, needs of VA and other nutrients would be met. The sustainable solution of prevention and control of VAD is through promotion of the intake of green leafy vegetables and local available foods. 

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DOI: DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21088/ijpm.2321.5917.3215.7

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