RANGPUR, June 3, 2021 (BSS) – Experts at a press briefing today said immunization of the under-five children with Vitamin A Plus Capsules strengthens the immune system to ensure their normal and healthier growth.
They viewed this at the event organised by the Civil Surgeon’s Office at his conference room on preparations taken to make the National Vitamin A Plus Campaign (first round) -2021 from June 5 to 19 successful in the district.
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.
Civil Surgeon Dr Hirombo Kumar Roy briefed journalists on preparations taken to make the campaign for four lakh 94 thousand and 452 under five children (6 to 59 months) in all eight upazilas and Rangpur city of the district a success.
Additional Superintendent of Police (DSB) Sayed Mohammad Farhad, Deputy Civil Surgeon D Kaniz Sabiha, District Nutrition Coordinator Langkeswar Barman and District Health Superintendent Arbindu Kumar Modak also spoke narrating the essence of continuation of Vitamin A supplementation to the under-five babies.
The Civil Surgeon said one dose of one-lakh unit Vitamin A Blue capsule would be administered to the children (6 to 11 months) and one dose of two-lakh unit Vitamin ‘A’ Red capsule to the children (12 to 59 months) in the district.
“A total of 4,753 volunteers, health workers and family welfare assistants will work at 1,935 outreach centres in the district except Rangpur city from 8 am to 4 pm and steps have been taken at bus stands, hats, bazaars and other places during the campaign,” he said.
Besides, 706 health workers, volunteers and supervisors will provide Vitamin A Plus capsules at 265 outreach centres in all 33 wards of Rangpur City Corporation on every Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 8 am to 4 pm.
Dr Herambo said Vitamin A prevents mal-nutritional diseases of children like night blindness, bitot’s spots and corneal lesions and strengthens their immune system.
He called upon journalists to make the campaign successful by creating social awareness about the nutritional aspects of Vitamin A that increases disease resistant capacities of under-five children to ensure their healthy growth.