A study published in the journal BMJ Global Health revealed that 2 in every 5 eligible children in India are missing out on vitamin supplementation designed to ward off health problems associated with vitamin deficiency. Vitamin A is important for many cellular processes in the human body that are critical for eyesight, growth, and development, wound healing, reproduction, immunity, etc.

The analysis based on representative survey data showed that out of 20,4645 children, 123,836 eligible Indian children had not been supplemented with vitamin A. Overall coverage was reported as 60.5%, which was low compared to most South Asian countries. The data was also widely varied, ranging from 29.5% in Nagaland to 89.5% in Goa. Among the districts, the coverage ranged from less than 13% (Nagaland) to 94.5% (Karnataka).

Dr. Kaustubh Bora, of the ICMR Regional Medical Research Centre, stated that adequate Vitamin A intake can only be obtained from the diet, but poor nutrition and infections are common in the under-5 age group in developing countries. He also added that one in every three children is vitamin A deficient. 

(Source: https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/2-in-5-indian-kids-have-no-access-to-preventive-vitamin-a-supplements-icmr/93206196 )