National Vitamin-A Plus Campaign aiming to eradicate blindness and prevent the death of malnutrition-related children was inaugurated here today at Surjer Hasi Clinic premises in the city.
Mayor elect of Khulna City Corporation (KCC) Talukder Abdul Khaleque inaugurated the event as chief guest while Laskar Tajul Islam, Chief Executive Officer of the KCC was in the chair.
A total of 1,17,057 children in Khulna city have been targeted to be fed vitamin ‘A’ capsules. Among them, the number of children from aged 6-11 months is 13,573 and 12-59 months is 1,03,484.
Besides, a total of 1,88,747 children of nine upazilas and two municipalities of Khulna district have been targeted for feeding the vitamin ‘A’ capsules.
All children aged 6-11 months will be given one blue colored vitamin ‘A’ capsule and one red colored vitamin ‘A’ capsule will be given to all children aged 12-59 months through the National Vitamin ‘A Plus Campaign’ across the country.
The campaign was conducted under the auspices of the Public Health and Nutrition Institute and National Nutrition Services under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare with the assistance from the UNICEF.
The chief guest said that vitamin ‘A’ capsule has been helping in increasing the normal structure of the child’s body. This capsule not only prevents malnutrition-related blindness of the children but also boosts up the immunity.
Among others, the event was addressed by councilors Imam Hasan Chowdhury, Kanika Saha and Chief Health Officer of KCC Swapan Kumar Halder.
Chief Health Officer of the KCC delivered the welcome speech while Deputy Director of Khulna Divisional Health Department Dr. Ferdousi Akhter, UNICEF representatives also spoke on the occasion.
