Vitamin A-plus campaign begins

The four-day National Vitamin A-plus Campaign began across the country Saturday in a bid to prevent childhood blindness and reduce child mortality. Health Minister Mohammad Nasim inaugurated the campaign at Mohakhali in the city. Over 22 million children, aged between six months and five years, will be fed vitamin A-plus capsules at some 120,000 permanent health centres across the country during the campaign, according to a news agency. Besides, the programme will also be launched at additional 20,000 mobile centres -– bus stands, railway stations, launch terminals, airports, ferry terminals, bridge toll centres and kheya ghats. Children aged between six and 11 months will be given blue-coloured high-powered vitamin A capsules while children aged between one to five years red-coloured capsules. Volunteers will also go from door to door during ampaign to make sure all children are given the doses. Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages wishing success of the campaign.