DHAKA, June 22, 2019 (BSS) – National Vitamin-A Plus campaign is being
observed across the country today aiming to feed vitamin-A Plus capsules to
over 2.20 crore children aged between six months to 59 months to prevent
childhood blindness and reduce child mortality.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleaque inaugurated the
countrywide ‘Vitamin A Plus’ campaign by feeding Vitamin A capsules and
deworming tablets to several kids at Dhaka Shishu Hospital in Agargaon area
at 8am.
Under the campaign, children aged between six months and 11 months were
given the blue-colored high-powered Vitamin A capsules while children aged
between 12 and 59 months were administered red-colored capsules.
While launching the campaign, the minister urged the parents to feed their
children Vitamin A capsules and deworming tablets to prevent childhood
blindness and reduce child mortality and strengthen their immunity system.
“We’ll be able to build a beautiful Bangladesh for the next generation if
we can make the vaccination programme a success,” he added.
He also urged not to pay any heed to any rumour saying, “There’s no
problem over the quality of Vitamin-A Plus capsules.”
Secretary of Health Ministry Asadul Islam, Director General of Health
Services Dr Abul Kalam Azad and mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC)
Md Atiqul Islam were present, among others.
Some 120,000 permanent health centres and 20,000 mobile centres were set
up at bus stands, railway stations, launch terminals, airports, ferry
terminals, bridge toll centres and “kheya ghats” to feed the children Vitamin
A capsules from 8 am to 4 pm.