Oct 18, Kathmandu - The first phase of Nepal’s national Vitamin A and deworming campaign has been postponed because of the Dashain public holiday, the Department of Health Services said.

The campaign will now run on Kartik 17 and 18. It had originally been scheduled for Kartik 2 and 3, dates that fell during the Dashain holiday this year.

Children aged 6 to 59 months will receive Vitamin A capsules, while deworming medicine will be given to children aged 12 to 59 months.

The department has urged parents and caregivers to take eligible children to their nearest distribution centre on the scheduled dates.

The government runs the campaign annually to prevent Vitamin A deficiency, reduce eye and other health risks, and protect children from health problems caused by worm infections.