Hubballi: Vitamin A1, or retinol, is a fat-soluble, essential nutrient crucial for vision, immune function, and cell growth. Found in animal products like liver, fish, and dairy, it is often referred to as preformed Vitamin A. It works by forming rhodopsin in the eye and supporting tissue health.However, none of the primary health centres (PHC) in Dharwad district, need to confirm, have this oral suspension meant for infants.Laxmi Sheelavant, a mother in Dharwad, said that parents get regular updates via SMS for kids’ oral suspension of A1 vitamin every six months. “As per the message, we went to the PHC on March 10, Tuesday, but staff said they administer it only on Thursdays. They suggested visit the PHC to check if oral suspension is available, then bring the kid along with the mother’s card. Our Malamaddi Dharwad PHC is connected to most of the mothers from comunities such as Gosavi, Bhovi Vaddar, ragpickers, daily wage labourers, Sikhs and Muslims. We have been forced to visit it again and again,” she shared.She further said, “We filed a grievance on Karnataka Janaspandana-iPGRS on March 13 and got a reply that it will be resolved in seven days. However, it is still unresolved till March 25.”When approached, the staff at many PHCs said that they don’t have any information as to when they would get the stock. “We are told to administer it only on Thursdays between 10am to 12.30pm. In the interest of babies, we are suggesting to visit the PHC to check availability of oral suspension and then bring the kid with the mother’s card,” they revealed, requesting anonymity.Ironically, the govt celebrated save vision month! Glaucoma week ended on March 15.Dr Satish M Honakeri, district health officer, said that he will look into the matter and rectify it.Issues regarding administering Vitamin A1 * Mothers get SMS from the health and family welfare department to get it administered on working days. * However, PHC staff said they administer only on Thursdays. They said there is no required stock. * The mothers may or may not read the message. There is no alerting from Asha or anganwadi workers. * Many mothers miss gettng it for their kids in the due course. * Following the situation, private hospitals are getting more demand for this vaccination.
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