In the midst of its methods to make sure the wholesome growth of children, the Municipality of Manaus continues to provide vitamin A supplementation for children aged 6 months to 5 years (4 years, 11 months and 29 days). The Municipal Health (*4*) (Semsa) offers providers in all 171 vaccine workplaces within the community distributed in all districts of the town.
Lia Ferreira, head of the Food and Nutrition Center at Semsa, mentioned the nationwide vitamin A supplementation program was established in 2005 by the Ministry of Health (MS), the physique accountable for buying the ingredient and distributing it to municipalities. Since the deficiency of this micronutrient can happen all through life, children below 5 years of age are one of probably the most delicate teams to hurt their well being and diet.
“The 2019 National Child Food and Nutrition Survey introduced new proof to the nationwide scene in regards to the prevalence of anemia and malnutrition, and the Ministry of Health has just lately up to date its pointers for this system. “In the North and Northeast, the age vary has been preserved, taking into consideration probably the most weak teams of the inhabitants and the present meals safety scenario,” he explains.
Service
Vitamin A is saved in capsules, the liquid of which is swallowed by children, in accordance to the quantity prescribed by the physician or nurse. This micronutrient combination is run in 171 vaccine rooms at Semsa, and addresses and opening hours can be found at bit.ly/salasdevacinamanaus.
“The household can search the service immediately within the UBS vaccine room, whereas the specialist evaluates the kid’s booklet, which has a spot to write down the introduction of this complement. A booklet evaluation can be executed throughout a session with a health care provider, dietician or nurse, who can refer the kid to the vaccination room with a further prescription,” Leah detailed.
Vitamin A, Leah says, may be launched quickly after a baby turns 6 months outdated and ought to be given each six months till the kid is 5 years outdated. When making use of for the service, the household should current a photograph ID or delivery certificates, CPF or National Health Card (CNS) and vaccination document.
Importance
Dietitian Lia Ferreira says that taking vitamin A has many well being advantages for children, and allergy symptoms or intolerance to the complement are the one contraindications. Micronutrient deficiencies can intrude with the physique’s synthesis of different nutritional vitamins and might trigger evening blindness, amongst different situations.
“Vitamin A supplementation is a approach to forestall anemia attributable to micronutrient deficiency, so it’s indicated for all children between 6 months and 5 years of age. In children with anemia, the quantity prescribed by the physician is greater,” he famous.
In 2022, Semsa recorded 13,700 vitamin A supplements administered to infants aged 6 to 11 months and 51,400 supplements to children aged 1 to 4 years.
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The textual content is Victor Cruz / Semsa
Photo – Anger / Semsa