About 1.7 million Malawian children have been targeted in the first round of Child Health Days (CHD) campaign as one way of reducing child illnesses and deaths.

Secretary for Health and Population Dan Namarika said the campaign which was launched on Monday in Lilongwe will run from 15th to 19th July 2019.

Namarika said the five-day campaign is targeting all children from six months to five years of age and women who have just delivered and are within 8 weeks of delivery.

He added during the exercise post-partum mothers will be reached with Vitamin A supplements which is vital for child’s healthy growth, immunity against diseases and good eye sight.

Namarika said children will also be given de-worming tablets that help to get rid children of intestinal worms.

Other activities during the week include mass nutrition screening, distribution of micronutrient powders to eligible children that have rolled out the programme.

Child Health Days is a Government of Malawi campaign that UNICEF and partners such as USAID support.

The campaign which brings critical, life-saving services to children in remote areas, is conducted twice a year.