Vitamin distribution is well underway in the DESEA Perú project, in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.  DESEA’s rural nurse, Vilma Florez Huayllapuma, has been distributing vitamins coupled with prenatal and postnatal home visits and health care provision.  Prenatal women are reporting no side effects from the vitamins, and are consistently taking their supplements.  This constitutes a change, as Ministry of Health staff report that the Peruvian supplements of iron and folic acid are not consistently used due to negative side effects.  Prenatal women are being encouraged to use the Vitamin Angel supplement and to continue with their dose of iron as Peruvian recommendations for indigenous women in the Andes is a minimum of 300 mg/day.

Lactating women are unanimously reporting increased energy and more milk production, and are delighted to have the vitamin supplements, as lactating women in Peru do not receive any vitamin or micronutrient supplements.

DESEA has also partnered with the Ministry of Health in the District of Lamay to distribute vitamins to pregnant and lactating women throughout the District.  A total of four health posts have received vitamins and documentation to help staff monitor and record health information about each patient.  Furthermore, DESEA Perú will be meeting this week with the American NGO ‘The Becky Fund’ to establish a vitamin distribution program in the District of Lares, where The Becky Fund is working with women and communities in health and nutrition focused programs.

Santusa Ccoya Sutta, who has a high risk pregnancy, receiving vitamins and education.

Turibia Mamani Tapara and her 5 month old daughter receiving vitamins in the campo.

Santusa Mamani Suma, who has a high risk pregnancy, receiving her first supply of vitamins.

Check out a previous update from DESEA Perú>>