RAJSHAHI, Jan 2, 2020 (BSS) – Mayor of Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) AHM Khairuzzaman Liton today urged all the officials and others concerned to make the forthcoming January 11 National vitamin ‘A’ plus campaign-2020 a total
success to address vitamin deficiency among babies.
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, he said here.
The mayor was addressing the central orientation and planning meeting for
the campaign at city bhaban conference hall today as chief guest. RCC
organised the meeting in association with the Institute of Public Health
Nutrition (IPHN) and World Health Organization (WHO). The supplementation is
also important for substantial reduction of death rate caused by diarrhea and
measles.
Besides, various problems including eyesight and night blindness could be
prevented and cured through successful implementation of the campaign.
RCC Chief Executive Officer Shawgatul Alam, Secretary Abu Hayat
Rahmatullah, Chief Health Officer Dr Anjuman Ara Begum, Divisional Director
of Health Dr Gopendra Nath Acharya, IPHN Resource Person Dr Khandaker Jakaria
and Civil Surgeon Dr Barnabas Hasdak also addressed the meeting. RCC World
Councilor Nuruzzaman Tuku was in the chair.
In his keynote presentation, Surveillance Immunization Medical Officer of
WHO Dr Nurul Islam said the vitamin ‘A’ plus supplement is helpful for
reducing the severity and duration of illnesses associated with pneumonia and
diarrhea.
Referring to the WHO guideline, he said children should begin vitamin ‘A’
supplement at the age of six months.
Around 7,950 children aged between six months and 11 months will be given
blue-coloured capsule of high powered Vitamin A and 54,218 children aged
between one year and five will be given red-coloured capsule of high-powered
Vitamin A.
The programme will be conducted in 384 centres including 343 permanent and
41 mobile ones by 768 volunteers in the city.