What do you do when you're tasked with mobilizing a nationwide cadre of women volunteers to distribute vitamin A capsules to children 6 to 59 months old, yet lack money for stipends? You get creative. 

The Nepal Vitamin A Program has achieved a level of success that would not have been thought possible 10 years ago. The campaign approach, community involvement and dedication of the FCHVs, the promotional activities, the extensive field support by a local technical assistance group, and the success of the mini-surveys in confirming coverage, all contribute to this success.

The mini-survey is a cross-sectional survey conducted in 10 randomly selected districts with a total of 1750 households using multi-cluster sampling. Information collected from the randomly selected households from each district shows district representative data. It is conducted 3/4 weeks after each distribution campaign to determine coverage and assess the performance and awareness regarding the three major micronutrient programs.

In Nepal, the Demographic Health Survey (DHS) is conducted on a 5 yearly basis, in 1996, 2001 and 2006, and the Micro Nutrient Status Survey (MNSS) was conducted in 1998. The results of these investigations, as well as data from other publications, have been applied in the compilation of this document. The Nepali section is intended for use by district officials while the English section functions to provide members of the health profession, Nepali Government, United Nations and International and National Non-Government Organizations (I/NGO’s) with a valuable and accurate resource. It aims to assist in comparing health statistics over a 15 year period, monitoring program efficacy and identifying specific elements requiring improvement or further attention.

This study has been a collaborative effort between the Nepali Technical Assistance Group (NTAG) and the JSI/Nepal Logistics and Child Health Support Services Project. Many thanks are due to Mr. Ram Kumar Shrestha, Executive Director of NTAG, for his eagerness to share the history and resources that made the study possible. I would also like to extend my appreciation to Dr. Penny Dawson, Team Leader, JSI/Nepal, for her mentoring and technical guidance throughout the entire process

The Nepal Vitamin A Program has achieved a level of success that would not have been thought possible 10 years ago. The campaign approach, community involvement and dedication of the FCHVs, the promotional activities, the extensive field support by a local technical assistance group, and the success of the mini-surveys in confirming coverage, all contribute to this success.

The Nepal National Vitamin A Program: Cost Estimates for 2000 and Alternative Configurations of a Nationwide Program

March 2001

Prepared by:
John L. Fiedler, Ph.D.
Consultant
Abt Associates Inc.

" Vitamin Sherpa"

By JEFFREY KLUGER

Saving the lives of sickly children doesn't take much: a little money, some medicine, the right food. In Nepal, they've discovered one more factor: the power of the grandmother. It was Ram Shrestha, chemist and health expert, who figured out how to unleash it.

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