DHAKA: More than two crore children aged between six months and five years will be fed vitamin 'A' capsule through 140,000 centers across the country in vitamin A+ campaign on Saturday.

State Minister for Health Zahid Maleque said in a press conference at his secretariat office on Thursday.

Children aged from six months to 11 months will be given the blue-colored high-powered vitamin A capsule, while children aged between one to five years will receive the red-colored capsule, he added.

Zahid urged the guardians to bring their children at the health centers after having normal food.

“Capsules should not be given to the children, who will cry during oral medication or be brought in empty stomach.”

The state minister said more than 2.20 crore children would be fed vitamin A capsule at some 120,000 permanent centers across the country.

Besides the permanent health centers, the minister said an additional 20,000 mobile centers will be setup at bus stands, railway stations, launch and ferry terminals, airports, bridge toll centers and river ghats, he added.

“These centers will remain open from 8:00am to 4:00pm to make sure all children are given the doses and three volunteers will work at each centre to make the campaign a success,’’ he added.

According to Zahid, the rate of children’s night-blindness in the country has come down to one percent by distributing vitamin A-plus.

It is possible to prevent children’s blindness, ensure normal growth and reduce the death rate to 24 percent.

Deaths related to measles can be lessened to 50 percent and deaths related to diarrhea to 33 percent by distributing vitamin A plus twice a year, he hoped.

Health secretary Syed Manjurul Islam, Heath Department director general Deen Mohammad Nurul Haque and other senior officials were present at the press conference.

BDST: 1706 HRS, APR 23, 2015
RS/RR/SMS