I Hate PSM

National Vitamin A Prophylaxis Programme

  • The National Prophylaxis Programme against Nutritional Blindness due to vitamin A deficiency (NPPNB due to VAD) was started in 1970
    • with the specific aim of preventing nutritional blindness due to keratomalacia
    • As an urgent measure to combat the unacceptably high magnitude of xerophthalmic blindness in the country seen in the 1950s and 1960s
  • The Programme was started as a 100 per cent centrally sponsored programme
  • In 1994, under the National Child Survival and Safe Motherhood (CSSM) Programme, the age group of eligible children was restricted to 9 to 36 months of age
    • Prophylactic mega dose administration of vitamin A was primarily advocated because of the claim of 23 per cent reduction in childhood mortality and
    • Not mainly for blindness prevention.
  • In 2006, the age group of eligible children was revised as 9 months to 5 yr. of age (oral prophylactic dose):
    • One dose, 1,00, 000 IU along with measles immunization (operational feasibility)
    • 8 doses at six – monthly intervals of 2.00, 000 IU

National Vitamin A Prophylaxis Programme – Current Scenario (2016)

  • Clinical VAD has declined drastically during the last 40 years
    • There has been virtual disappearance of keratomalacia, and
    • a sharp decline in the prevalence of Bitot spots
  • Vitamin A supplementation (VAS) is implemented through the PHCs and sub-centres.
    • The female multipurpose worker and other paramedics at the village level sub-health centres are responsible for administering vitamin A solution.
    • The services of ICDS functionaries are also utilized for Programme implementation.
  • Universal supplementation of vitamin A to Indian children is being undertaken irrespective of their family background and nutritional status
  • Recently it has been suggested that India is currently at a stage when universal vitamin A supplementation should transit to
    • A targeted supplementation programme and
    • The primary focus should now be on sustainable food based approaches to combat vitamin A deficiency
  • To increase local production and consumption of green leafy vegetables and other plant foods those are rich sources of carotenoids.
  • Green leafy vegetables, many fruits and other plant foods are also good sources of folate, vitamin C, Fe, Ca and many other micronutrients

Reference:

National Vitamin A Prophylaxis Programme: National Vitamin A Prophylaxis Programme
National Iron+ Initiative: National Iron+ Initiative