Nutrition
To obtain an immediate impact on child survival, an integrated package of key interventions is delivered during child health days. The package always contains the supplementation of Vitamin A and the de-worming of children under five years of age; other services will progressively be added to the package. These campaigns aim to reach 80% of children, at a cost equal to approximately 30 US cents per child. Child Health Days are driven by the municipalities and carried out through the existing routine and outreach health delivery system. The guidelines for the supplementation of Vitamin A during the routine activities have been developed and their implementation has started in most municipalities but is still very weak and coverage levels are insufficient. This programme will be reinforced so that at least 70% of under-fives receive the two recommended yearly doses. Similarly, guidelines for the supplementation of folic acid and iron to pregnant mothers will be developed and promoted. A growth monitoring manual for health workers is under development to build their capacity to regularly monitor the growth of young children and provide the right advice to parents. To reach universal salt iodization and eliminate iodine deficiency disorders, UNICEF continues to advocate for the enforcement of legislation related to the importation of iodized salt and the strengthening of effective monitoring at the country’s borders. UNICEF also continues to support and supervise 27 therapeutic and supplementary feeding centres throughout the country where an average of 1000 children per month continue to be admitted. The following activities are or will be implemented: • Development of a growth monitoring manual
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