The Ministry of Health (MoH), in conjunction with Helen Keller International (HKI)

and UNICEF, began a three day "National Vitamin-A Workshop" on Dec. 2.

Recent surveys conducted by the MoH and HKI show that night blindness and Bitot's

spots, some of the most severe forms of vitamin-A deficiency, point to a significant

public health problem.

Studies show improved vitamin-A intake can reduce the severity of childhood illnesses

and help reduce the number of childhood deaths.

According to a World Bank report completed this year, vitamin-A supplementation has

been determined to be the most cost-effective health intervention in the developing

world.

The MoH workshop has been designed to provide a plan of action to solve vitamin-A

deficiency.

Delegates included experts from WHO Geneva, HKI-New York, and Indonesia's Cicendo

Eye Hospital. For further details contact Keith Feldon at HKI or Dr Mey Nay at the

Ministry of Health.