Vitamin A campaign targets 76,390 children in Sylhet

The National Vitamin A Plus Campaign began in Sylhet on Sunday with a target of administering free Vitamin A capsules to more than 76,000 children in the city to improve child health and prevent vitamin deficiency-related diseases.

Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) Administrator Abdul Qaiyum Chowdhury inaugurated the campaign at the Binodini Nagar Matrisadan Centre by administering a Vitamin A capsule to a child and urged parents to ensure that no eligible child is left out of the programme.

Speaking on the occasion, the SCC Administrator sought the cooperation of city residents to make the campaign successful and called upon parents and guardians to take their children to the designated centres to receive Vitamin A capsules.

He said Vitamin A is essential for the healthy growth of children and for strengthening their immunity.

“Successful implementation of such national programmes is necessary to build a healthy and talented generation.

Therefore, everyone should remain vigilant to ensure that no child is left out of this programme,” he said.

This year, a target has been set to administer Vitamin A capsules to a total of 76,390 children in the Sylhet City Corporation area.

Dr. Zahidul Islam said the National Vitamin A Plus Campaign is conducted regularly to promote the normal growth of children, strengthen their immunity, and prevent night blindness.

He said children aged between 6 and 59 months are provided with free Vitamin A capsules twice a year.

Dr. Zahidul Islam further said that a total of 368 centres have been established in the 42 wards of the Sylhet City Corporation under the supervision of 84 supervisors to implement the programme.

These include one permanent EPI centre, 259 temporary EPI centres, 83 temporary Vitamin A centres, and 25 additional centres.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Kishoreganj, Shohana Nasrin, formally inaugurated National Vitamin A Plus Campaign was inaugurated at the conference room of the Civil Surgeon’s Office in Kishoreganj on Sunday, with Acting Civil Surgeon Dr. Nazmul Karim in the chair.

Vice Principal Dr. Ekram Ahasan Jowel of Syed Nazrul Islam Medical College Hospital (SNIMCH), Acting Director Dr. Saiful Islam of SNIMCH, and Assistant Professor Dr. Mir Nur-Shahed were present as special guests.

Speaking at the programme, DC Shohana Nasrin said that vitamin A plays a vital role in strengthening children’s immunity and protecting their eyesight.

“The government is implementing regular and emergency immunization programmes across the country to protect every child.

Today’s children are the future of the nation. Building a strong nation requires ensuring children’s health and safety from the very beginning of life,” she said.

Acting Civil Surgeon Dr. Nazmul Karim underscored the importance of ensuring timely vaccination to protect children from various preventable diseases.

Under the campaign, at least 526,155 children in the 13 upazilas and eight municipalities of Kishoreganj have been targeted to receive vitamin A capsules.

Of them, 65,542 children aged between six and 11 months will receive blue vitamin A capsules, while 460,613 children aged between 12 and 59 months will be administered red vitamin A capsules.

A total of 2,921 centres, including 363 ward-based centres, have been set up to implement the programme.