The Ministry of Health and Population intends to administer vitamin supplements to more than 2.75 million children aged six months to five years and deworming tablets for more than 2.4 million children aged 12 months and older, The Kathmandu Post reported.

Kedar Parajuli, Chief of Nutrition Section of Family Welfare Division at the Department of Health Services, urged all parents to ensure that their children receive the medicines at the distribution points in their localities.

More than 51,000 women health volunteers, working across the country, have been mobilized for the campaign, to which the Ministry of Health conducts twice a year (April and October) since 2003.

According to the World Health Organization, Vitamin A deficiency causes vision loss (night blindness) and vulnerability to a range of diseases such as measles and diarrhea among children. The supplement boosts immunity and ensures the natural growth of young children, Parajuli said.

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