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Nutrition International and the Government of Tanzania double down on commitments to ensure no child is missed with lifesaving vitamin A supplementation
March 13, 2024
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Story
Nutrition International, Canada and Tanzania double down to address the impact of vitamin A deficiency
The Government of Canada, through Nutrition International, has reaffirmed its commitment to support the Government of Tanzania to combat the consequences of vitamin A deficiency in children.
Posted on June 19, 2025
Dar es Salaam, TANZANIA – Nutrition International and the Government of Canada reaffirmed their commitment to the Tanzania national vitamin A supplementation (VAS) program during a ceremony held at Kijitonyama Dispensary in Dar es Salaam on June 19th, 2025, during the bi-annual Child Health and Nutrition Month (CHNM) campaign.
“Through CHNM [campaigns], millions of children under five receive lifesaving VAS every six months. This initiative, as recommended by the World Health Organization, has significantly contributed to a reduction in child mortality and has strengthened the routine health system,” said Dr. George Mwita, Country Director for Tanzania, Nutrition International. “Nutrition International salutes the Government of Tanzania for its commitment in child health and looks forward to continued collaboration.”
Dr Mwita lauded the leadership of Her Excellency Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, for her unwavering commitment to improving nutrition outcomes in the country. He said that through her leadership, the President has elevated nutrition as a national development priority, with emphasis on multisector coordination, accountability and the integration of nutrition within the broader health, education, and agricultural systems.
“Nutrition International salutes the Government of Tanzania for its commitment in child heath and looks forward to continued collaboration.
— Dr. George Mwita, Country Director for Tanzania, Nutrition International
In Tanzania, vitamin A deficiency (VAD) affects approximately one in three children under five. In countries where VAD is a public health issue, VAS is a cost-effective, high-impact, evidence-based intervention that strengthens the immune system of children under five, reducing their risk of preventable child deaths by 12-24% and offering protection against common childhood illnesses, such as measles and diarrhoea.
To ensure high coverage of this lifesaving intervention, Nutrition International donates the full national supply of vitamin A capsules — sufficient to reach all eligible children in Tanzania every year. Nutrition International also provides technical support to strengthen the planning, monitoring and delivery of biannual CHNM campaigns held each June and December. This includes support for planning, training, logistics, monitoring and reporting, particularly in low-performing regions.
Hon. Jenista Mhagama, Tanzania’s Minister of Health, welcomed the support from Nutrition International and the Government of Canada, noting that the donation of vitamin A capsules is critical to the success of the national VAS program. “The Ministry of Health has achieved over 90% coverage in VAS, however, there are a few regions where coverage is below 90%,” Mhagama explained. “Last year, we reached 9.4M with 8.4M children receiving two doses of VAS, that’s equivalent to 97% of children aged six-59 months. This year, our target is to reach around 9.5M children with the required two doses.”
“The Government of Tanzania has demonstrated its steadfast commitment in addressing malnutrition through VAS. I wish to reaffirm Canada’s longstanding commitment to improve health globally.
— H.E. Emily Burns, High Commissioner of Canada to Tanzania
High Commissioner of Canada to Tanzania, H.E. Emily Burns, commended Nutrition International’s operational and technical support in improving the quality and coverage of VAS. “The Government of Tanzania has demonstrated its steadfast commitment in addressing malnutrition through VAS, from implementing national policies and guidelines to supporting programs to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and building the capacity of healthcare workers to deliver the capsules. I wish to reaffirm Canada’s longstanding commitment to improve health globally.”
For more than 30 years, Nutrition International, with support from the Government of Canada, has been a global leader in VAS, making gains in child survival and helping bring together key international stakeholders to recommend and guide new policy; develop industry production standards for high-dose vitamin A capsules; support annual procurement of vitamin A capsules for more than 55 high-burden countries; and support vitamin A capsule distribution as part of an integrated packages of child survival interventions. With continued collaboration, Nutrition International, Canada and Tanzania are working together to ensure every child has a healthier start and stronger future.
Learn more about Nutrition International’s work in Tanzania and with vitamin A supplementation.
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