Every year, it is estimated that 670,000 children will die of vitamin A deficiency, and another 350,000 children will go blind. Helen Keller International provides high-potency vitamin A capsules twice-yearly to children under five to save their sight and lives. Last year, more than 13 million capsules were provided to children aged 6-59 months in Tanzania. With your help, we can protect even more children.
Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD) is the number one cause of childhood blindness in the world. It also compromises the immune system, which, in turn, increases the risk of death from diseases such as malaria, measles and diarrhea. Despite significant progress, VAD remains a widespread problem in Tanzania.
The World Bank considers Vitamin A Supplementation (VAS) to be the most cost-effective public health intervention. Just two capsules of high-potency vitamin A are needed every year, and the total cost to deliver these sight- and life-saving vitamins is just $1.00 per year. In Tanzania, Helen Keller International designs, implements and monitors VAS at the national and district level. We also make sure mothers know how important vitamin A is for their children to ensure high coverage.
Controlling vitamin A deficiency can not only prevent a lifetime of darkness, but can also result in a 25% reduction in child mortality.
