Hello Lactnetters,
 I have just read an article in the Local Paper Baluchistan Times for
14/02/2001.
Basically It is saying since the inception of the UN program by UNICEFof
giving High Dose capsules of Vitamin A to strengthen the body's immune
system has averted almost one million child deaths.'
 It is unacceptable for any child to die as a result of deficiency in Vit A
when high dose capsules worth a couple of cents given twice a year can
provide adequate protection' said UNICEF Director Carol Bellamy on Monday.
'The vitamin A -poor diet increases the severity of childhood diseases such
as measles and diarrhoea and research shows by increasing by about 20 % in
population suffering deficiency', UNICEF said in its statement.
"Our understanding of the role of micro-nutrients in child development has
greatly increased over the last decade"Bellamy said, "We no longer have an
excuse for lack of action"
Vit A deficiency is common in about 70 countries mostly Asia and Africa But
Bellamy said the number of countries with supplementation programs had risen
from six to more than 40 in five years.

About a week ago there were a string of deaths in the Northern Frontier ares
caused by Measles and under the article was a footnote making the remark
that it was unsure if the children who died in the measles epidemic had
taken Vit A.

Talking to one of the NGO  Outreach Workers recently, the polio Campaign and
Vit A program both are running into suspicion and in some cases the parents
are refusing as they believe it is making their children sterile. The Iodine
Program in Salt met with the same problem ' it was stopping the people
having children.

How can we educate people like this who are so suspicious of what you are
doing for them?

Robyn Aulmann RM
Quetta Pakistan

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