The latest announcement extends scope of the ongoing partnership between the state government and Vitamin Angels India
The National Health Mission, Government of Nagaland and Vitamin Angels India (VAI) entered into a partnership to strengthen and expand evidence-based nutrition interventions, specifically vitamin A supplementation and deworming among under-five populations.
A Technical Support Group has been created including key officials from NHM, Nagaland and Vitamin Angels India. The demonstration pilot will be undertaken across three districts, namely Dimapur, Niuland and Chümoukedima over 2024-25. The project is an extension of an ongoing partnership between both parties and uses an implementation science approach to increasing the demand and improving the supply and delivery of vitamin A,
According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019-21), about 46 per cent of children aged 9-35 months received VAS in Nagaland as compared to about 71 per cent at the all India level. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) believes that while universal coverage (i.e. 100 per cent) is the ultimate goal, even 80 per cent coverage is an indication of a strong programme.
The formative research phase for the pilot is set to take off on-ground by June-July, 2024.