ZCZC
BSS-01
VITAMIN-CAMPAIGN (with picture)
3.51 lakh children to get vitamin A plus in Rajshahi
RAJSHAHI, July 11, 2018 (BSS)- Around 3.51 lakh children under five years will be administered vitamin ‘A’ Plus capsules on National Vitamin ‘A’ Plus Campaign-2018, on July 14 (first round) in the city and nine upazilas of the district.
The campaign will begin at 8 am at 2,138 centres and continue till 4pm. A total of 1,744 outreach vaccination centres will be set up by Rajshahi Civil Surgeon office.
Over 4,480 volunteers, 376 family welfare assistants and 241 health assistants would be engaged for giving vitamin ‘A’ Plus capsules to the children aged from zero to 5 years in the district.
These were revealed by officials concerned of Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) and Civil Surgeon Office while talking to BSS separately 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.
It’s also very important for reduction of the diarhoeal 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 in 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, reducing child mortality and strengthening 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.
“We are committed to make the campaign a total success in the district comprising nine upazilas”, Dr Saha added.
BSS/AH/AU/09:36 hrs