The routine vitamin A and combantrin distribution program is helping to prevent malnutrition among children.
The Director of Dili Municipality Health Care (DMHC), Agustina da Costa Saldanha, said the medication was distributed on a twice yearly basis in February and August, adding that the Ministry of Health had an obligation to ensure the medicine was received by communities and schools.
“It is important that we improve children’s nutrition through the distribution of vitamin A and to combat worms,” said Saldanha in Dili.
She added that the medicines were distributed to children under five years of age to prevent malnutrition.
She said parents in rural areas could also take their children to the Integrated Community Health Services Center (SISCa) to receive medications.
Mother Filomena Fatima Lidia Araujo said the program was worthwhile as it helped protect children against malnutrition andworms.
She said health personnel had recently visited Farol basic school and distributed vitamin A and combantrin to students there.
“Yes, we get the medicine there and when I go home, I give it to my children and it works after three days,” she said.
She also called for the Ministry of Health to raise awareness in rural communities so that children there could also receive the same medication.
