Vitamin A plus campaign for 2.2cr children June 1

The government will start Vitamin A plus campaign across the country on June 1, with a target to provide the capsules to 2.20 crore children at 1.2 lakh centres.

ABM Khurshid Alam, director general of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), said this at a press briefing at the directorate in Mohakhali today.

However, the campaign would not be possible in many centres in the coastal areas, which are affected by Cyclone Remal, said Khurshid.

However, when the situation returns to normalcy in these areas, vitamin A capsules will be fed quickly, he added.

Saying that there is a plan to give Vitamin A plus to about 2.22 crore children aged from 6 to 59 months, the health DG said.

Of the 2.22 crore, 27 lakh children are aged 6 to 11 months.

Khurshid Alam said, about 2.4 lakh volunteers and 40,000 health workers will work for the campaign.

Highlighting the significance of Vitamin A capsules, the health DG said that it prevents night blindness and ensures nutrition. In addition, Vitamin A also significantly reduce deaths from measles, diarrhoea, and pneumonia.

Regarding the rules for giving the Vitamin A capsules to children, the DG said that children should be brought to the centre in full stomach, and should not be force-fed the capsule.