RANGPUR, Feb 19, 2023 (BSS) - Experts at a press briefing have sought media
cooperation to create mass public awareness for making the National Vitamin A
Plus Campaign -2023 on February 20 successful in the district.
They sought the cooperation at a press briefing organised by the Civil
Surgeon's Office on Saturday afternoon at its conference room to inform media
workers about the preparations taken marking the National Vitamin A Plus
Campaign -2023 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.
Residential Medical Officer of the 100-bed Rangpur Shishu Hospital Dr Md
Mostafizar Rahman and other officials of the Civil Surgeon's Office were
present.
Civil Surgeon Dr Md Shamim Ahmed briefed journalists on preparations taken
for the campaign to bring 3.65 lakh under five children (6 to 59 months) in
all eight upazilas, three municipalities and Rangpur city of the district.
He elaborately narrated the essence of continuation of Vitamin A
supplementation to the under-five babies.
"One dose of one-lakh unit Vitamin A Blue capsule would be administered to
40,000 children (6 to 11 months) and one dose of two-lakh unit Vitamin 'A'
Red capsule to 3.25 lakh children (12 to 59 months) in the district.
"Adequate number volunteers, health workers and family welfare assistants
will work at all 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.
He 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.
