Jaipur Launches Month‑Long Vitamin A Drive to Safeguard Child Health

Jaipur: Health authorities in Jaipur district are set to implement the 40th phase of a Vitamin A supplementation campaign from November 29 to December 29, 2025, as part of ongoing efforts to enhance the nutritional wellbeing of young children and reduce preventable illnesses. The initiative will focus on children between the ages of 9 months and 5 years through the network of Anganwadi centres across the district.

Chief Medical and Health Officer (Jaipur I), Dr. Ravi Shekhawat, said that the programme plays a vital role in preventing Vitamin A deficiency, which is linked to weakened immunity, night blindness and a greater risk of life threatening infections among young children. The supplementation is scheduled every six months to help maintain adequate nutrient levels and ensure stronger disease resistance.

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Vitamin A deficiency continues to be a public health concern, especially among infants and pre school children who require essential micronutrients during key growth periods. Dr. Shekhawat explained that timely supplementation lowers the risk of conditions such as diarrhoea and pneumonia — two major causes of childhood morbidity — while also reducing mortality rates in children under the age of five.

Dosage Plan

Health workers will administer Vitamin A oral doses as follows:

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• Children aged 1 to 5 years: 2 ml dose

• Children aged 9 to 12 months: 1 ml dose

Officials noted that strict monitoring will ensure accurate dosage and record keeping for each child.

Implementation Strategy

The Department of Women and Child Development is coordinating with the Health Department to ensure complete coverage in rural and urban zones. Under the deployment plan:

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• ASHA Sahyoginis will primarily administer the supplement in their assigned areas

• Where ASHA positions are vacant, Anganwadi workers will take charge

• If both are unavailable, female health workers from the nearest sub health centre will be assigned to manage administration

This multi tier responsibility structure is designed to ensure that no eligible child is left out.

The campaign is also expected to include community awareness efforts focusing on nutritional practices, early identification of eye related symptoms and prevention of growth related deficiencies. Parents and guardians will be encouraged to visit vaccination centres or Anganwadi hubs on the designated days to ensure timely dosage for their children.

Local health officials emphasized that the programme aligns with broader public health objectives, including the reduction of child mortality and improvement in overall nutritional indicators. They highlighted that Vitamin A supplementation has been globally recognized as one of the most effective, low cost interventions for child health protection.

Strengthening Child Health Goals

The administration remains committed to achieving full coverage across the district, especially in vulnerable populations and areas with limited healthcare access. Field reports and follow ups will be conducted to track the success of the programme throughout the month long drive.

Officials urged families and community members to actively participate in the initiative and seek guidance from frontline health workers for any queries concerning supplementation.

With a structured rollout plan and clear operational instructions, authorities expect the campaign to make a positive impact on children’s immunity levels and long term health outcomes across Jaipur district.