Vitamin Angels, Santa Barbara, CA, a 501(c)(3) public charity, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Muhammadiyah, among the largest and oldest charitable organizations in Indonesia, to collaborate on alleviating micronutrient deficiency among children under age five, by the distribution of micronutrients, specifically vitamin A, and deworming tablets to preschool age children across Indonesia.
 
The partnership with Muhammadiyah is a significant boost to Vitamin Angels’ efforts in Indonesia as it greatly expands the opportunity for distribution of key products to at-risk populations via Muhammadiyah’s extensive network of 104 hospitals, 200 primary health care clinics a national network of preschools serving more than 32,000 children, and orphanages throughout the country.
 
“This partnership is in accordance with the vision and mission of Muhammadiyah as an organization which aims at realizing an advanced Islamic society,” said Dr. Esty Martiana Rachmie, M.Kes. vice chair, general health service council/MPKU PP Muhammadiyah. “This collaboration is expected to improve the health status of mothers and children in Indonesia.”
 
The agreement comes on the heels of the already dramatic expansion of the organization’s efforts in Indonesia over the past year during which Vitamin Angels partnered with 15 local non-profit organizations serving a combined total of over 1.1 million children. With the addition of Muhammadiyah as a main partner, Vitamin Angels expects to reach an additional 1 million children in 2016.
 
Approximately 21 million children under age five reside in Indonesia. Among these children, approximately 37% experience stunting [Basic Health Research Data –MoH year 2013], and diarrheal disease and measles remain major public health problems. While the Ministry of Health operates national vitamin A programs, the coverage is around 75%, indicating that as many as 6 million children are currently underserved. Vitamin Angels’ efforts are intended to be complementary to and coordinated with existing national health initiatives.