The seven opposition parties have said their ongoing movement will not hamper the two-day national Vitamin A program which started from today (Wednesday).

Talking to Nepalnews today, spokesperson of the Nepali Congress Krishna Sitaula said the party workers around the country would assist in making the Vitamin A program successful. He informed that the parties had already asked the people to avoid demonstrations near the centres set up for the program.

In a press release on Tuesday, the Joint Central Movement Coordination Committee of the seven parties said the parties would cooperate with local health volunteers in administering Vitamin A capsules and de-worming medicines to children as this is a humanitarian issue. The committee also asked the parents to take their children to the centres without fear.

The Vitamin A capsules will be administered to more than 3.3 million children aged between six months and five years. Children between 1 and 5 years of age will be given de-worming medicines as well. More than 48,000 female health volunteers are being mobilised for the campaign.

The UNICEF has said that preparation for the programme has completed, appealing to all concerned sides to help conduct the campaign in a safe and fearless manner.

The mortality rate of children not taking the Vitamin A is four times higher than those who have taken it, it is said. nepalnews.com ia Apr 19 06