Background

1.2.1. Vitamin A deficiency is a public health problem of significance in Pakistan. The National Nutrition Survey (NNS) 2018 showed that 51.5% of children age 6-59 months were found vitamin A deficient, of which 12.1% were severely deficient and 39.4% were mildly deficient. According to WHO1, these levels of deficiency indicate that vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a severe public health problem among preschool children in Pakistan. Therefore, also in accordance with WHO2, twice-yearly vitamin A supplementation (VAS) is recommended for children 6-59 months of age as an intervention to reduce the risk of morbidity and mortality in the country. In Pakistan, to achieve this, has been using twice-yearly Polio National Immunization Days (NIDs) to codeliver VAS to eligible children every six months.

1.2.2 Nutrition International “NI” (formerly known as the Micronutrient Initiative) has been providing technical and operational support to the Government of Pakistan to improve and sustain vitamin A coverage through capacity building of the health force; conducting task force meetings, monitoring and IEC material sharing with the front-line health workers for many years. In addition, every year, NI donates the full national supply of vitamin A capsules (VACs) to the Government of Pakistan through UNICEF supply channels. For more details about NI, please visit our website: www.nutritionintl.org

Please find details in the attached file.