Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) has set a target of feeding vitamin A capsule to 62,953 babies on the day of National Vitamin A Plus campaign (2nd round) - 2019 scheduled to be held on February 9.
Of them, 7,976 children aged six months to 11 months will be given blue-coloured capsule of high powered Vitamin A and 54,977 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 and 41 mobile ones in the city.
City Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton revealed this at a press conference held at the City Bhaban conference hall in Rajshahi on Tuesday. RCC Ward Councillors Md Nuruzzaman and Ruhul Amin and Chief Executive Officer Rejaul Karim and Chief Health Officer Dr AFM Anzuman Ara Begum also spoke on the occasion.
Mayor Liton sought all-out cooperation of the journalists to make the forthcoming vitamin ‘A’ plus campaign a total success to address vitamin deficiency disorders and syndromes among babies, reports BSS.
During her concept paper presentation, Dr AFM Anzuman Ara Begum 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 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, she added.
She also said the vitamin A plus supplement is helpful for reducing the severity and duration of illnesses associated with pneumonia and diarrhea.
Referring to the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline, she said children should begin vitamin A supplement at the age of six months.
The national vitamin A plus campaign will be observed across the country to prevent childhood blindness, reducing child mortality and strengthening immunity.
