Vitamin A increases disease resistant capacities: Experts

RANGPUR, Sept 17 (BSS): Health experts today said Vitamin A ensures normal growth of the babies reduces death risks, prevents night blindness, bitot's spots and corneal lesions through increasing their disease resistant capacities. They were addressing a daylong divisional orientation and planning meeting organised here to make the upcoming National Vitamin A Plus Campaign-2013 on October 5 next successful. The Institute of Public Health and Nutrition (IPHN), National Nutrition Services (NNS), Directorate of Health, Health and Family Welfare Ministry organised the divisional meeting at the conference room of Civil Surgeon in the city. The campaign will be implemented under the auspices of with the IPHN, NNS, Health Directorate, Health and Family Welfare Ministry with the assistances of the Micronutrient Initiative, UNICEF and World Health Organisation. Additional Divisional Commissioners (General) Narayan Chandra Barma attended the meeting as the chief guest with Rangpur Divisional Director (Health) Dr Shahadat Hossain in the chair. Divisional Deputy Director of the Family Planning Department Dr Shafikul Haque, Divisional Deputy Director (Health) Dr Rezaul Karim and Civil Surgeon of Rangpur Dr Reazul Islam attended as the special guests. Resource person of IPHN Dr Md. Istiaqul Haque Mortuza delivered the keynote presentation narrating the success achieved so far and importance of administering Vitamin A Plus Capsules to the babies, grievous impacts of Vitamin A Deficiency and the way-outs. The Civil Surgeons, Deputy Directors of Family Planning Department from eight districts in Rangpur division, district and divisional level officials, heads of educational institutions, social workers, NGO representatives, Imams and journalists participated. Child Specialist and Associate Professor of Rangpur Medical College and Hospital Dr Mostakim, Dinajpur Civil Surgeon Dr Moudud Hossain Rabu, Lalmonirhat Civil Surgeon Dr Jahangir Hossain, journalist Siddikur Rahman, President of Rangpur district unit of Bangladesh Imam Samity Moulana Mohammad Joynul Abedin, also addressed.