Vitamin A Syrup Shortage Hits Dharwad Kids

Parents in Dharwad district are facing considerable hardship due to a persistent shortage of Vitamin A syrup, crucial for children around 18 months old. The syrup, a vital component of the government's universal immunisation programme, has been unavailable in many public health facilities for approximately five months as of 2026-06-12T18:37:25+00:00. This lack of supply means children are not receiving their scheduled second dose of Vitamin A, which is typically administered between 16 to 18 months of age.

ASHA workers have informed parents that they will be notified once new stock arrives, but many families report being told repeatedly that the syrup has still not been received. This situation particularly impacts daily wage laborers and economically weaker sections of society who depend entirely on government healthcare. The inability to access free services at public centres forces these families to seek expensive private alternatives, adding a significant financial burden. Health officials have been instructed to coordinate procurement from centers with available stock to mitigate the crisis.