The National Health Mission (NHM) of Nagaland has entered into a partnership with Vitamin Angels India (VAI) to enhance and expand evidence-based nutrition interventions, focusing on vitamin A supplementation and deworming for children under five. This collaboration will be piloted across three districts: Dimapur, Niuland, and Chümoukedima, over the 2024-25 period.
A Technical Support Group, comprising key officials from NHM Nagaland and Vitamin Angels India, has been established to oversee the project. This initiative is an extension of an ongoing collaboration between the two parties and employs an implementation science approach to increase the demand and improve the supply and delivery of vitamin A.
Micronutrient deficiency significantly contributes to childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide. Vitamin A is crucial for the immune system, and severe Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD) can lead to irreversible childhood blindness, reduced immunity, and increased mortality from measles and diarrheal diseases. The Government of India recommends that children under five receive nine doses of vitamin A supplements every six months, starting at nine months of age.
According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019-21), only about 46% of children aged 9-35 months in Nagaland received vitamin A supplementation, compared to the national average of approximately 71%. UNICEF emphasizes that while universal coverage (100%) is the ultimate goal, an 80% coverage rate indicates a strong program.
Vitamin Angels has been working with local NGOs in Nagaland since 2011 and formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NHM Nagaland in 2021 to improve child health indicators through a health system strengthening approach. The nonprofit has been providing technical assistance to the state government to enhance the delivery of nutrition interventions. The latest partnership announcement builds on this ongoing collaboration.
Dr Khelito Zhimomi, Joint Director, SPO-RMNCAH+N, remarked on the partnership, stating, “Nagaland has made significant strides in improving nutritional indicators among women and children. We are keen on addressing areas where we are lagging and appreciate the support of Vitamin Angels India. This partnership is an opportunity to tackle both demand and supply challenges in supplementation, and we are committed to supporting the teams on the ground from NHM and VAI. We look forward to positive improvements in the near future.”
Shruti Menon, Associate Director of Programs at Vitamin Angels India, echoed the importance of the agreement, saying, “We have been working in Nagaland since our inception in India and are extremely grateful to the NHM leadership in the state for continuing our longstanding partnership. We are dedicated to improving health and nutrition services to the last mile. What excites us most about this pilot is the commitment from the State Government to co-create solutions with the community at the center, leveraging a wide range of stakeholders, including NGOs, SHGs, youth and church groups, and other community influencers.”
The formative research phase for the pilot is set to commence on the ground by June-July 2024.
About Vitamin Angels India
Vitamin Angels has been operational in India for over a decade and has reached over 16 million children under five with Vitamin A and Albendazole through a network of over 1800 program partners, including NGOs, hospitals, and health centers. They also support State and UT governments to strengthen their Vitamin A supplementation programs in Tripura, Jammu and Kashmir, Nagaland, Ladakh, Mizoram, Manipur, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and Puducherry.
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