Proactive role of mass media is very vital to make the forthcoming National Vitamin 'A' Plus Campaign-2023 scheduled to be held on June 18 successful.
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. District health officials came up with the observations while sharing views with journalists ahead of the campaign held in Rajshahi on Thursday.
The Civil Surgeon Office organised the meeting in association with the 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.
Civil Surgeon Dr Abu Sayeed Muhammd Faruque addressed the meeting as focal person, while Medical Officers Dr Tamanna Rabi and Dr Nasrin Akter supplemented him on the issue.
They sought cooperation of the journalists to make the campaign a total success to address vitamin deficiency disorders and syndromes among babies.
They also told the journalists that a total of 2,92,730 babies will be fed vitamin 'A' capsules in nine upazilas of the district during the Vitamin 'A' Plus Campaign.
Of those, 30,450 babies aged between six to eleven months will be administered one blue-coloured 'A' capsule each, while another 2,62,280 babies from 12 to 59 months red-coloured capsule.
In Rajshahi city areas, a total of 64,884 babies will be fed vitamin 'A' capsules in Rajshahi city during the campaign.
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.
During his keynote presentation, representative of World Health Organization (WHO) Dr Mahbub Al Sayeed 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, he said.
Besides, various problems including eyesight and night blindness could be prevented and cured through successful implementation of the campaign, Dr Sayeed said, adding that the vitamin 'A' plus supplement is helpful for reducing the severity and duration of illnesses associated with pneumonia and diarrhea.
Referring to the WHO guidelines, he said children should begin vitamin 'A' supplement at the age of six months.
