RAJSHAHI, July 13, 2018 (BSS)-Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) and Civil Surgeon Office have adopted massive preparations to observe the National Vitamin ‘A’ Plus Campaign-2018 (first round) in the city and nine upazilas of the district tomorrow.
The campaign will begin at 8 am at 2,138 centres and continue till 4pm. Around 3.51 lakh children below five years will be administered vitamin ‘A’ Plus capsules.
These were revealed by officials concerned of the RCC and Civil Surgeon Office while talking to BSS separately here today.
Disseminating her expertise, RCC Chief Health Officer Dr AFM Anzuman Ara Begum mentioned that 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 health officer said it’s also very important for reduction of the diarrheal attack and prevention of post-measles blindness.
She said media support is very important to make the forthcoming National vitamin ‘A’ plus campaign successful so that all the vitamin deficiency related disorders among babies are removed completely.
In the city, 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 at 384 centres including 343 permanent ones, Dr Begum added.
Civil Surgeon Dr Sanjit Kumar Saha said various problems including eyesight and night blindness could be prevented and cured through successful implementation of the campaign.
He said the national Vitamin ‘A’ plus campaign will be observed across the country to prevent childhood blindness, child mortality and strengthen immunity.
In nine upazilas of the district, around 27,993 children aged six months to 11 months will be given blue-coloured capsule of high powered Vitamin A and 2,61,808 children aged one year to five will be given red-coloured capsule of high-powered Vitamin A at 1,754 centres.
A total of 1,744 outreach vaccination centres will be set up. Over 4,480 volunteers, 376 family welfare assistants and 241 health assistants would be engaged for giving vitamin ‘A’ Plus capsules to the children.
“We are committed to making the campaign a total success in the district,” Dr Saha added.