RANGPUR, Feb 7, 2019 (BSS) – Health experts at a press briefing here today
called upon the mass media to make the National Vitamin ‘A’ Plus Campaign
(Second Round)-2019 to be conducted on February 9 (Saturday) successful in
the district.
The district health administration organised the briefing at conference
room of the Civil Surgeon with journalists from print, electronic and online
medias.
The campaign will be conducted under auspices of the Public Health and
Nutrition Institute and National Nutrition Services under the Ministry of
Health and Family Planning with assistance of UNICEF.
Civil Surgeon Dr Abu Md Zakirul Islam briefed the journalists on the
preparations to make the campaign for over 3.54-lakh children aged between
six months to 59 months successful in the district.
Divisional Director (Health) Dr Amal Chandra Saha attended the function as
the chief guest while Deputy Civil Surgeon Dr Kaniz Sabiha, Medical Officer
Dr Pankaj Mohanta and District Coordinator of Nutrition International
Langkesh Barman spoke.
The Civil Surgeon said one dose of one lakh unit Vitamin A Blue capsule
would be administered to 38,548 babies (6 to 11 months) and one dose two lakh
unit Vitamin ‘A’ Red capsule would be administered to over 3.15-lakh babies
(12 to 59 months).
Some 4,926 people, including 3,664 volunteers, 697 health workers and 565
family welfare assistants will work at 1,832 outreach centres from 8 am to 4
pm and steps will be taken at bus stands and other places to make the
campaign a success.
The Civil Surgeon said the campaign would be conducted to reduce death
risks of babies, save them from blindness caused by Vitamin ‘A’ shortage and
disseminate knowledge among people about nutritional aspects for children.
“Vitamin ‘A’ effectively prevents mal-nutritional blindness, especially
night blindness, bitot’s spots and corneal lesions,” he said and discussed
the importance for continuation of Vitamin A supplementation for the under-
five babies.
The chief guest said the under-five babies, who were immunised with Vitamin
A Plus Capsules anytime during the past four months period, do not need to be
immunised during the campaign.
He called upon journalists to create mass public awareness to make the
campaign successful for preventing various diseases of the under-five babies
to ensure their normal growth by increasing disease resistant capacities.