Expanded Programme for Immunisation (EPI) under the Ministry of Health (MoH) has started piloting new vitamin A recording tools in four districts of Pakistan including district Mardan from NWFP. Vitamin A has been supplemented to 9-59 month old children in Pakistan since 2000 but there was no direct recording of the vitamin A supplementation (VAS).
Micro-nutrient Initiatives (MI) has provided financial and technical support to review and modify National Immunisation Rounds (in which polio drops are given to under-five children) recording and reporting tools through Unicef to include VAS component to get the direct coverage.
Tools for National Immunisation Days have been revised with inclusion of VAS component. After successful piloting of the new tools the recording system will be expanded to other districts that will ensure availability of data on the exact coverage of this activity.
In Pakistan, vitamin A Supplementation was started in 2000 due to high prevalence of vitamin A deficiency. Deficiency of this important vitamin leads to blindness and poor immunity. Vitamin A deficient children face 25 percent higher risk of dying from a range of childhood ailments such as measles, malaria or diarrhea.
Ensuring that children get enough vitamin A, therefore, enhances their chances of survival. It also reduces the severity of childhood illnesses, eases the strain on health systems and contributes to the well being of children, their families and their communities.
With the assistance of Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), Micro-nutrient Initiative (MI) is providing 64 million vitamin A capsules annually and funding for the logistical support of the VAS and strengthening of the existing health delivery systems.
Expanded Programme for Immunisation (EPI) under the Ministry of Health is supplementing vitamin A in polio campaigns twice a year. The Government of Pakistan is strongly committed to vitamin A supplementation.
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