RAJSHAHI, May 30, 2021 (BSS)- Experts at a meeting urged all the officials and others concerned to make the forthcoming National vitamin ‘A’ plus campaign-2021 (second round) scheduled to be observed from June 5 to 15 a total success to address vitamin deficiency disorders and syndromes among babies.
They came up with the observations while addressing an orientation and planning meeting here today. Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) organised the meeting at its conference hall in association with Institute of Public Health Nutrition (IPHN) and World Health Organisation (WHO) ahead of the campaign yesterday.
The discussants unanimously said 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 supplementation is also important for substantial reduction of the death rate caused by diarrhoea and measles, they said.
Besides, various problems including eyesight and night blindness could be prevented and cured through successful implementation of the campaign, they added.
RCC Panel Mayor Shariful Islam Babu addressed the meeting, while Assistant Director of the Directorate of Health Services Dr Anwarul Kabir, Civil Surgeon Dr Quiume Talukder and IPHN Deputy Programme Manager Dr Abdul Alim spoke as special guests. RCC Ward Councilor Nuruzzaman Tuku chaired the meeting.
During her keynote presentation, RCC Chief Health Officer Dr AFM Anjuman Ara Begum said the vitamin ‘A’ plus supplement is helpful for reducing the severity and duration of illnesses associated with pneumonia and diarrhoea.
Referring to the WHO guideline, he said children should begin vitamin ‘A’ supplement at the age of six months.
All children aged between six months and 11 months will be given blue-coloured capsule of high-powered Vitamin A and other children aged between one year and five will be given red-coloured capsule of high-powered Vitamin A.
She told the meeting that some 750 volunteers will be deployed for conducting the programme in 275 centres in the city.