14. 3 lakh babies to be fed vitamin A plus capsules in three dists

Sr. Staff Reporter, Kishoreganj :

The Civil Surgeon (CS) Office in Kishoreganj has completed all preparations to immunise over 4,99,718 children aged between six months and 59 months for vitamin A Plus Campaign from June 15 to 19 with hygienic conditions.
Of these, 58 774 children aged o 6-11 months will be fed one blue capsule and 4, 40,944 children aged 12-59 months will be fed one red capsule.
This information was given at the Journalist an Orientation Workshop on the occasion of National Vitamin ‘A’ Plus Campaign at Civil Surgeon Conference Room on Sunday afternoon.
Civil Surgeon(CS) in Kishoreganj Dr. Saiful Islam informed, the children would be fed vitamin A capsules in a total of 2,774. centers of 111 unions and 8 municipalities in 13 upazilas of Kishoreganj.
A total of 6,799 people, including health department officials and employees and volunteers will work for this
BSS from Rajshahi reports: A total of 64,884 babies will be fed vitamin ‘A’ capsules in Rajshahi city during the forthcoming National Vitamin ‘A’ Plus Campaign-2023 scheduled to be held on June 18.
Of those, 8,779 babies aged between six to eleven months will be administered one blue-coloured ‘A’ capsule each, while another 56,105 babies from 12 to 59 months red-coloured capsule.
Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) health officials revealed this while addressing a press conference held at the City Bhaban Conference Hall ahead of the campaign Wednesday.
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 diarrhea.
BSS from Bhola adds: A total of 2,82,679 children of under-five age group will be fed Vitamin A Plus capsules on June 18 in seven upazilas of the district during the National Vitamin A Plus Campaign 2023.
Bhola Press Club President M. Habibur Rahman, former President of Bhola Press Club M Farooqur Rahman, General Secretary Amitabh Apu and Vice-President Kamal Uddin Sultan, among others, spoke.
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. KM Shafikuzzaman narrated the importance of continuation of Vitamin A supplementation for the under-five children to prevent mal-nutritional blindness, especially night blindness, bi-tot’s spots and corneal lesions.
“Immunization of the under-five babies with Vitamin A Plus capsules is crucial for strengthening their immune system and disease resistance capacity for healthier growth,” he said. He also said 4,042 health workers and volunteers will provide Vitamin A Plus capsules at 1,690 centres in seven upazilas of the district on Sunday next from 8 am to 4 pm.