ZCZC
BSS-23
RpCC-VITAMIN-CAMPAIGN (with picture)
1.26-lakh babies to get Vitamin A Plus capsules in Rangpur city
RANGPUR, June 2, 2021 (BSS) – Rangpur City Corporation (RpCC) will feed over 1.26-lakh under-five age group babies of the city with Vitamin A Plus capsules in the National Vitamin A Plus Campaign (first round)-2021.
Mayor of Rangpur Mostafizar Rahman Mostafa said this at a press conference held at his conference room today on preparations taken to make the National Vitamin A Plus Campaign (first round)-2021 from June 5 to 19 successful in the city.
The campaign will be conducted under the auspices of the Public Health and Nutrition Institute and National Nutrition Services under the Ministry of Health and Family Planning with UNICEF assistance.
With Chief Executive Officer of RpCC Ruhul Amin Mian in the chair, Civil Surgeon of Rangpur Dr Herambo Kumar Roy, Secretary of RpCC Rashidul Haque and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kamruzzaman Ibne Taz attended the event.
Dr Kamruzzaman discussed the essence of continuation of Vitamin A supplementation for the under-five babies to prevent mal-nutritional blindness, especially night blindness, bitot’s spots and corneal lesions.
“Immunization of the under-five babies with Vitamin A Plus capsules is crucial for strengthening their immune system and disease resistance capacity for their healthier growth,” he added.
Mayor Mostafa said 629 health workers and volunteers under supervision of 77 supervisors will provide Vitamin A Plus capsules at 265 outreach centres in all 33 wards of the city on every Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 8 am to 4 pm.
Around 19,570 babies (6-11 months) and one lakh seven thousand and 333 babies (12-59 months) will be administered with one dose of one lakh units of Vitamin A Plus Blue capsule and one dose of two lakh units of Vitamin A Red capsule each respectively.
“We have also completed preparations to administer Vitamin A capsules to the under-five babies at the immunization center of RpCC, bus stands, rail stations and other places in the city,” Mostafa said.
He said there are no side effects to Vitamin A capsules and a child with a full stomach should be given Vitamin A capsules as immunization with an empty stomach, might cause nausea.
The Mayor urged parents and all concerned to use face masks and follow the hygiene rules while feeding babies Vitamin A capsules in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
BSS/MI/IJ/1708 hrs