According to Belarusian protocols, all newborns should receive vitamin K immediately after birth. However, Konakion is not available in the country's maternity hospitals or pharmacies during the first few months.
Canakion (vitamin K1) is administered to prevent hemorrhagic disease of the newborn - dangerous bleeding that can occur due to vitamin K deficiency in the child. It helps the liver produce blood clotting factors and reduces the risk of internal and external bleeding.
Going without vitamin K is especially dangerous for children at risk - for example, premature babies.
A journalist from «Nasha Niva» posed as an expectant mother and contacted ten different maternity hospitals in Belarus. Everywhere they confirmed that they do not have vitamin K (Canakion). If parents have the opportunity, it is better to bring their own.
An employee of one of the maternity hospitals said that they haven't had vitamin K since July:
«Why not? Good question. Every year, maternity hospitals submit reports on how many children were born this year - and based on these data, they should roughly calculate how much of which medical supplies needs to be purchased for the coming year. I know that in the summer Canakion was in two pharmacies in Baranavichy - some parents went there for it.»
Currently, Canakion is not available in any pharmacies in Belarus. The source says that those parents who know and understand how necessary vitamin K is, buy the drug themselves either in Europe or from Belarusian resellers.
Resellers ask for 180 to 230 rubles for a package of five ampoules. One ampoule is needed for one child - they ask for 46 rubles for it.
Another maternity hospital expressed hope that Canakion will appear in December. However, they cannot guarantee this yet, the exact delivery date is not known.
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