Rajshahi: Experts at a city-level advocacy meeting here have urged all the officials and others concerned to make the forthcoming March 15 National Vitamin 'A' Plus Campaign-2025 a total success to address vitamin deficiency disorders and syndromes among babies. They emphasized the essential role of vitamin 'A' supplements in ensuring the normal functioning of the visual system, maintaining cell function for growth, red blood cell production, immunity, and reproduction.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the supplementation is also important for the substantial reduction of death rates caused by diarrhea and measles. Experts highlighted that issues such as eyesight problems and night blindness could be prevented and cured through the successful implementation of the campaign.
The Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) organized the advocacy and planning meeting in association with the Institute of Public Health Nutrition (IPHN) and the World Health Organization (WHO) at its conference hall ahead of the campaign today (Tuesday). Commissioner of Rajshahi Division and RCC Administrator Khandaker addressed the meeting as the chief guest, with RCC Chief Executive Officer Dr. ABM Sharif Uddin presiding over the event.
Divisional Director of Health Dr. Habibur Rahman, Civil Surgeon Dr. Raziun Karim, Divisional Director of the Department of Family Planning Dr. Kustary Amina Queen, and RCC Superintending Engineer Ahmed Al Muin also spoke on the occasion. In her keynote presentation, RCC Chief Health Officer Dr. AFM Anjuman Ara Begum noted that the vitamin 'A' plus supplement is beneficial in reducing the severity and duration of illnesses associated with pneumonia and diarrhea.
Referring to the WHO guideline, she mentioned that children should begin receiving vitamin 'A' supplements at the age of six months. Approximately 8,715 children aged between six months and 11 months will be given blue-colored capsules of high-powered Vitamin A, and 57,905 children aged between one year and five years will be given red-colored capsules of high-powered Vitamin A. In the city, the campaign will be conducted in 384 centers by 768 volunteers from 8 am to 4 pm.