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.
