The Drug Administration Department recommends that units strengthen research, production, sourcing and import of vitamin A in general and high-dose vitamin A (content of 100,000 IU and 200,000 IU) to supply the health program. During the implementation process, if there are any difficulties or problems, facilities are requested to promptly report to the Drug Administration Department for consideration and resolution.
Give children vitamin A
According to the Drug Administration of Vietnam, there are currently only 3 vitamin A drugs (content of 5,000 IU) with valid circulation registration certificates in Vietnam. Previously, the Ministry of Health received Official Letter No. 3133/SYT-NVD from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health regarding the lack of supply of single-ingredient vitamin A drugs (abbreviated as vitamin A) for use in health programs.
Regarding the cause of the shortage, the Drug Administration of Vietnam said that previously, high-dose vitamin A (100,000 IU and 200,000 IU) used to supplement children from 6 to 60 months old was donated by foreign organizations, imported into Vietnam and distributed to provinces and cities in the country according to demand, provided free of charge to children of the age. However, from 2023, provinces and cities must proactively develop plans to purchase vitamin A from local budgets or from national target programs allocated to localities.
According to the Institute of Nutrition, vitamin A plays an important role in many functions in the body, including the growth process. Children need enough vitamin A to develop normally.
Vitamin A participates in the visual function of the eye, which is the ability to see in low light conditions. Therefore, when there is a lack of vitamin A, the ability to see in low light will be reduced, this phenomenon often appears at dusk, so it is called "night blindness". Night blindness is an early clinical manifestation of vitamin A deficiency.
Vitamin A is also necessary for the protection of the integrity of the corneal epithelium, subcutaneous epithelium, trachea, salivary glands, small intestine, testicles, etc. When vitamin A is deficient, mucus production decreases, the skin becomes dry and keratinization occurs, this manifestation is often seen in the eyes, initially dry conjunctiva and then corneal damage. Damaged epithelial cells along with reduced resistance create conditions for bacteria to invade.
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