Dhaka South City Corporation to Administer Vitamin A Capsules to 600,000 Children Sunday

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The Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) is set to administer Vitamin A capsules to approximately 600,000 children this Sunday as part of a nationwide health campaign. The initiative, aimed at children aged between six and 59 months, will be conducted across 1,760 designated centers throughout the city from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

To ensure the smooth execution of the program, health officials have mobilized 3,654 volunteers and 150 supervisors to oversee operations at the field level. According to a statement issued by DSCC public relations officer Rasel Rahman, the campaign will target 135,606 infants aged six to 11 months, who will receive a single blue Vitamin A capsule containing 100,000 IU. Additionally, 454,932 children aged 12 to 59 months are slated to receive a red capsule containing 200,000 IU.

The necessity of the campaign was underscored during a central advocacy and orientation meeting held Thursday at the Nagar Bhaban auditorium, which brought together representatives from government and private health sectors, as well as development partners. Speaking at the event, DSCC Chief Health Officer Dr. Jahane Ferdous Bin-te Rahman emphasized that Vitamin A is critical for child development, noting its role in strengthening the immune system, preventing night blindness, and reducing overall childhood mortality.

Health authorities have moved to address potential concerns regarding the supplements, confirming that the capsules provided by the government have been cleared by World Health Organization-approved laboratories. Officials have urged parents to ignore rumors or misinformation regarding the safety of the vitamins and to bring their children to the nearest distribution center within the specified timeframe.

Regular supplementation remains a cornerstone of public health efforts to combat micronutrient deficiencies that lead to severe visual impairment and weakened immune defenses against infections. DSCC has called for the active cooperation of the media and all stakeholders to ensure the campaign reaches every eligible child in the region.