RANGPUR, Feb 9, 2019 (BSS) – Health experts here today said Vitamin A
increases disease resistant capacities of the under-five babies to reduce
their death risks side by side with preventing night blindness and other
diseases.
They were addressing separate functions arranged for inaugurating the
National Vitamin A Plus Campaign- 2019 by administering Vitamin A Plus
Capsules to the under five babies in the district.
The campaign continued from 8 am to 4 pm today. Mayor of Rangpur Mostafizar
Rahman Mostafa launched the campaign by administering Vitamin A Plus Capsules
to some under-five babies at a function held at City Bhaban premises as the
chief guest.
Presided over by RpCC Secretary Abu Saleh Md Musa Jongi, Chief Medical
Officer Dr Kamruzzaman Ibne Taz attended the event. Divisional Director
(Health) Dr Amal Chandra Saha inaugurated the campaign at another function
held at Shahbazpur Community Clinic in Sadar upazila as the chief guest.
With Civil Surgeon Dr Abu Md Zakirul Islam in the chair, Deputy Civil
Surgeon Dr Kaniz Sabiha attended the function. Talking to BSS, Dr Taz said
634 volunteers under supervisions of 77 supervisors and eight satellite
monitoring teams provided Vitamin A Plus Capsules at 295 outreach centres in
all 33 wards of the city.
“Some 19,233 babies (six to 11 months) got one dose of one lakh unit
Vitamin A Plus Blue Capsule each and one lakh six thousand and 996 babies (12
to 59 months) got one dose of two lakh unit of Vitamin A Red Capsule each
respectively today,” he added.
Dr Abu Md Zakirul Islam told BSS that over 3.54-lakh under five babies (6
to 59 months) were immunised at 1,832 outreach centres in the district today.
Each of the 38,548 babies (6 to 11 months) got one dose of one lakh unit
Vitamin A Blue Capsule each while over 3.15-lakh babies (12 to 59 months) got
one dose of two lakh unit Vitamin ‘A’ Red Capsule.
“Some 4,926 volunteers, health workers and family welfare assistants
conducted the campaign and special steps were taken at bus stands and other
places to make the campaign a success,” Dr Islam added.
Dr Saha narrated the importance for continuation of Vitamin A
supplementation for babies saying that Vitamin ‘A’ effectively prevents mal-
nutritional blindness, especially night blindness, bitot’s spots and corneal
lesions.
Mayor Mostafa thanked parents for bringing their babies to outreach centres
for immunization to increase disease resistant capacities for their healthy
growth and to make the campaign successful.