Speakers at a press conference in Rajshahi Thursday said collective efforts of all authorities concerned including media is very important to make the April 5 National vitamin ‘A’ plus campaign-2014 a total success to address vitamin deficiency disorders among babies.
They 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.Besides, various problems including eyesight and night blindness could be prevented and cured through successful implementation of the campaign, they added.Civil Surgeon Office organized the press conference in association with Institute of Public Health Nutrition and National Nutrition Services (IPHNNS) held at its conference hall ahead of the campaign.Civil Surgeon Dr Shahidul Islam addressed the conference as focal person while Deputy Civil Surgeon Dr Azizul Islam and Medical Officer Dr Shahinuzzaman supplemented him. Dr Shahidul Islam said the vitamin ‘A’ plus supplement is helpful for reducing the severity and duration of illnesses associated with pneumonia and diarrhea.Referring to the World Health Organisation (WHO) guideline, he said children should begin vitamin ‘A’ supplement at the age of six months but unfortunately, children aged between 6 and 9 months do not get the supplement despite various interventions.He said the media has a vital role towards making the campaign a total success.Some 25,011 children aged six months to 11 months will be given blue-coloured capsule of high powered Vitamin A and 2,44,717 children
aged one year to five will be given red-coloured capsule of high-powered Vitamin A in all nine upazilas of the district, he added.A total of 1877 centers including 33 mobile ones will keep functioning in all nine upazilas of the district on the day and 5,615 volunteers were already given adequate training on the issue. -BSS, Rajshahi
