Vitamin A+ campaign from tomorrow

The government will start Vitamin A plus campaign across the country tomorrow with a target to provide Vitamin A plus capsule to 2,20 crore children, said Health Minister Zahid Maleque today.

Under the programme, 25 lakh children aged between 6 to 11 months will be fed blue colour A plus capsule while 1.95 crore children aged between 12 to 59 months will be fed red colour capsule, he said while speaking at a programme at the Ministry.

The government started the Vitamin A plus campaign in 2010 and children are fed the capsule twice a year, he said adding "Now only 0.04% children are affected with the night blindness disease due to Vitamin A deficiency."

Already the capsule has been sent to the central drug store, districts, city corporations and publicity about the progrmame has been launched through private and government TV channels and national dailies, he said.

A total of 2.40 lakh volunteers will work at 1.20 lakh centres while 40,000 health workers will participate in the campaign, said the minister.