RAJSHAHI, May 28, 2024 (BSS) - A total of 66,513 babies will be fed vitamin
'A' capsules in Rajshahi city during the forthcoming National Vitamin 'A'
Plus Campaign-2024 scheduled to be held on June 1.
 
Of those, 9,181 babies aged between six to eleven months will be administered
one blue-coloured 'A' capsule each, while another 57,332 babies from 12 to 59
months red-coloured capsule.
 
Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) authority revealed this while addressing a
press conference held at the City Bhaban conference hall ahead of the
campaign today.

They sought cooperation of the journalists to make the campaign a total
success to address vitamin deficiency disorders and syndromes among babies.
 
RCC organized the press conference in association with Institute of Public
Health Nutrition (IPHN) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
discussing and devising ways and means on how to make the campaign
successful.

During her keynote presentation, RCC Chief Health Officer Dr Anjuman 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 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
diarrhoea.
 
Referring to the WHO guidelines, she said children should begin vitamin 'A'
supplement at the age of six months.
 
Dr Anjuman Ara said the programme will be 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 will remain open from 8am to 8pm
 
Responding to a question Dr Anjuman Begum also said many of the health
problems caused by the vitamin-A deficiency are being reduced in the city due
to the Vitamin-A plus campaign during the last couple of years successfully.

Meanwhile, some 768 health workers will remain posted in the centers for
administering the capsules properly. Earlier, they were imparted training for
making the campaign successful.
 
Apart from the permanent centres, there will be 43 mobile centres for the
vitamin campaign.
 
RCC Panel Mayors Nizam-Ul-Azim and Abdul Momin, Ward Councilors Towhidul
Haque, Altafun Nessa and Kamal Hossain were present at the press conference.