RAJSHAHI, Dec 13, 2023 (BSS) - Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) has attained 100 percent success in the National Vitamin A Plus Campaign- 2023 observed in the city on Tuesday last like other parts of the country.

In the daylong campaign, 65,385 babies were fed with vitamin 'A' capsules. Of those, 8,867 babies aged between six to 11 months were administered one blue-coloured 'A' capsule each while another 56,518 babies from 12 to 59 months administered one red-coloured capsule.

RCC Chief Health Officer Dr FMA Anjuman Ara said the programme has been conducted from 8 am to 4 pm without any break in 384 centers in the city. However, the centres located in the ward councilor offices remained open from 8am to 8pm.

Apart from the permanent centres, there were 43 mobile centres for the vitamin campaign.
 
Some 768 health workers were posted in the centers for administering the capsules properly. Earlier, they were imparted training for making the campaign successful.

Dr Anjuman Ara Begum said the vitamin A plus campaign has been observed in order to eliminate night blindness together with preventing child fatalities caused by malnutrition.

The 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 was also important for substantial reduction of the death rate caused by diarrhea and measles, she said.
 
 Besides, various problems including eyesight and night blindness could be prevented and cured through successful implementation of the campaign, Dr Begum said, adding that the vitamin 'A' plus supplement is helpful for reducing the severity and duration of illnesses associated with pneumonia and diarrhea.
 
 Referring to the WHO guidelines, she said children should begin vitamin 'A' supplement at the age of six months.