Helen Keller International Exceeds Vitamin A Supplementation Goal

En français

Conakry, Guinea, January 5, 2006 – Helen Keller International (HKI) exceeded its goal for vitamin A supplementation in Guinea, reaching more than 2 million children from November 10-13, 2005.  The days were part of the country’s second national vitamin A distribution campaign, which targeted children from six months to five years old using an innovative door-to-door strategy.  First Lady of Guinea Madame Henriette Conte launched the campaign in Conakry with representatives from HKI, UNICEF and the World Health Organization in attendance.

This most recent campaign coincided with the fourth National Immunization Days for the eradication of polio and received great support at both the national and local levels.  Locally elected officials, regional government officials, religious leaders and development partners came together with the Guinean population to participate in the campaign, while national radio and television stations broadcast announcements about the event days before.  Community radio stations also aired broadcasts, and local health officials and religious leaders conducted information sessions for community members.

A recent HKI study in sub-Saharan Africa showed that 42.4% of children under five are at risk of vitamin A deficiency, though as many as 65% are at risk in some regions of Guinea.  >> Click here to read a press release about the study.  Vitamin A supplementation has been proven to reduce under-five child mortality by 25% to 35%, saving the lives of over 645,000 children per year.  HKI set and ambitious target to reach 1.9 million Guinean children with supplements and exceeded that goal by reaching more than 2 million.

HKI and other partners also carried out a pilot program to distribute mebendazole for deworming as part of the vitamin A supplementation campaign; the medication was provided to almost 200,000 in four districts.  To read about HKI’s recent vitamin A supplementation and mebendazole activities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo >> click here.

From left to right: Guinean children waiting to receive vitamin A supplements; Madame Henriette Conte, First Lady of Guinea, helping to distribute vitamin A capsules.