ZCZC
BSS-08
VITAMIN-RAJSHAHI (with picture)
National Vitamin ‘A’ plus campaign begins in Rajshahi
RAJSHAHI, Feb 9, 2019 (BSS) – National Vitamin ‘A’ plus campaign (Second
round)-2019 began in the city and nine upazilas of the district as elsewhere
in the country this (Saturday) morning.
Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) and Civil Surgeon Office launched the
campaign setting target to administer vitamin ‘A’ Plus capsules to more than
3.53 lakh children, aged between six months to 59 months.
The campaign begins at 8 am at 2,138 centres simultaneously and will
continue uninterruptedly till 4pm. The programme is being conducted in 384
centres including 343 permanent and 41 mobile ones by 768 volunteers in the
city.
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.
“It’s also very important for reduction of the diarrheal attack and
prevention of post-measles blindness,” she said adding that the city
corporation is committed to make the vitamin ‘A’ plus campaign successful so
that all the vitamin deficiency related disorders among babies are removed
completely.
Rajshahi City Corporation has set a target of feeding vitamin A capsule to
62,953 babies. Of them, 7,976 children aged between six months to 11 months
are being given blue-coloured capsule of high powered Vitamin A and 54,977
children aged between 12 months to 59 months being given red-coloured capsule
of high-powered Vitamin A.
Civil Surgeon Sanjeet Kumar Shaha says 3,508 volunteers, 286 family welfare
assistances, 228 community health service providers and 184 health
assistances were appointed at 1,754 centres including 10 permanent ones in
the district and special steps has been taken at the bus stands and other
places to make the campaign a success.
Dr Sanjeet Shaha said the campaign is being conducted to reduce death risks
of babies, save them from blindness caused by Vitamin A shortage through
disseminate knowledge among people about nutritional aspects for children.
BSS/AH/MSY/1402 hrs