Vitamin A in Tanzania

Who is Tutaweza?

• A US-based NGO with a primary focus on education in Tanzania.

• Our sister organization is Tutaweza Tanzania

• We sponsor secondary and vocational school students 

 

Why Are We Here?

• Our efforts are directed toward improving educational opportunities and ultimately the standard of living in Tanzania

• Research shows a relationship between micro-nutrition and educational, as well as economic, performance.

What are Micronutrients?• Minerals, vitamins, or trace elements

• Required in amounts less than 100 micrograms per day

• Needed by the body to facilitate and coordinate a wide range of physiological functions

• Can not be produced by the body itself

Research

• The World Bank estimates that eliminating micronutrient deficiencies could:– Improve Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by

more than 5%– Enhance the intellectual capacity of the

population by more than 10%– Enhance worker productivity by 30 – 70%– Reduce maternal deaths by up to 50%

A Start in Tanzania – Vitamin A

• As a result of this research, we are interested in expanding our efforts and establishing a micro-nutrient program that can be administered in Tanzania. 

• Vitamin A is a good starting place for such a program.

Vitamin A – The Need• Vitamin A:

– Promotes eye health and vision– Promotes growth and development– Promotes immune function (increasing chance of survival from

infection)– Helps prevent anemia– Especially critical for infants, young children, and lactating women.

• Small amounts present in some animal products– Liver, egg yolk, milk fat

• Carotenoids in plant foods converted by the body to Vitamin A– Green/yellow/orange vegetables and fruits– Not efficiently converted, especially by those living in poverty. 

Vitamin A – Why Tanzania?

• Tanzania ranks 38th out of 200 countries of highest concern in the world.

• World Health Organization (WHO) rates Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD) as “extreme” in Tanzania, with 93% of the country needing supplementation.

Vitamin A – The Solution

• Vitamin A Supplementation (VAS)– Low-cost– Easy to administer– Highly effective.

• Only 2 doses per year required– Oil supplement is squirted into mouth from

capsules– Body stores Vitamin A, creating a reserve for

times of need

Vitamin A – A History of Success

• Global cooperative effort in 1990’s to eliminate Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD)

• Highly successful results in only 3 years– Reached more than 70% of children– Prevented an estimated 1 million deaths

• UNICEF data shows Tanzania as one of 2 countries in Africa still with less than 30% coverage.

What We Hope To Accomplish This Visit

• To learn the mission and reach of St. Joseph’s Mission Hospital Peramiho

• To know the capabilities of the hospital

• To gain an appreciation for the priorities of the hospital

Our Questions

1. Should Tutaweza and St. Joseph’s Mission Hospital Peramiho work together to provide VAS?

2. How many people could benefit?3. How would distribution be accomplished ?

– Special event– Part of current community outreach activities:

• Health clinics• Immunization clinics• Deworming programs

Our Questions

4. How could VAS be supplied to St. Joseph’s Mission Hospital Peramiho?

• Application for VAS from Tutaweza to Vitamin Angels

• Shipping from the US (Tutaweza)• Clearing customs?• Proper storage after arrival at port?• Transportation to Peramiho?