RAJSHAHI, Feb 5, 2019 (BSS)- Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) has set a
target of feeding vitamin A capsule to 62,953 babies on the day of National
Vitamin A Plus campaign (2nd round)-2019 scheduled to be held on February 9.
Of them, 7,976 children aged six months to 11 months will be given blue-
coloured capsule of high powered Vitamin A and 54,977 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.
City Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton reveled this at a press conference
held at the city bhaban conference hall here today. RCC Ward Councilors Md
Nuruzzaman and Ruhul Amin and Chief Executive Officer Rejaul Karim and Chief
Health Officer Dr AFM Anzuman Ara Begum also spoke on the occasion.
Mayor Liton sought all-out cooperation of the journalists to make the
forthcoming vitamin ‘A’ plus campaign a total success to address vitamin
deficiency disorders and syndromes among babies.
During her concept paper presentation, Dr AFM Anzuman Ara Begum 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, she
added.
She also 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.
The national Vitamin ‘A’ plus campaign will be observed across the
country to prevent childhood blindness, reducing child mortality and
strengthening immunity.