RAJSHAHI, Jan 16, 2019 (BSS)- Experts at a city level advocacy meeting
here urged all the officials and others concerned to make the forthcoming
January 19 National vitamin ‘A’ plus campaign-2019 (Second round) a total
success to address vitamin deficiency disorders and syndromes among babies.
They said vitamin ‘A’ supplement is essential for the normal functioning
of the visual system, maintenance of cell function for growth, red blood cell
production, immunity and reproduction.
The supplementation is also important for substantial reduction of death
rate caused by diarrhea and measles.
Besides, various problems including eyesight and night blindness could be
prevented and cured through successful implementation of the campaign, they
added.
Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) organised the advocacy and planning meeting
in association with Institute of Public Health Nutrition (IPHN) and UNICEF at
its conference hall ahead of the campaign.
Chaired by RCC Chief Executive Officer Rejaul Karim the meeting was
addressed, among others, by Panel Mayors Shariful Islam, Rajab Ali and Tahera
Khatun, Deputy Director of Health Dr Gopenda Nath Acharya, Deputy Director of
Department of Social Services Rashedul Kabir, Regional Director of Bangladesh
Betar Hassan Akter and Assistant Director of Department of Family Planning
Tasiqul Haque.
During her keynote presentation, RCC Chief Health Officer Dr AFM Anzuman
Ara Begum said the vitamin ‘A’ plus supplement is helpful for reducing the
severity and duration of illnesses associated with pneumonia and diarrhea.
Referring to the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline, she said
children should begin vitamin ‘A’ supplement at the age of six months.
She called upon the ward-level officials to organise orientation for
volunteers at union-level one week before the campaign so that they could do
the work properly and effectively.
The national Vitamin ‘A’ plus campaign will be observed across the country
to prevent childhood blindness, reducing child mortality and strengthening
immunity.
Around 7,435 children aged six months to 11 months will be given blue-
coloured capsule of high powered Vitamin A and 54,155 children aged one year
to five will be given red-coloured capsule of high-powered Vitamin A.
The programme will be conducted in 384 centres including 343 permanent and
41 mobile ones in the city.