News Flash
KHULNA, June 25, 2026 (BSS) - A total of 4, 32,809 children would be administered Vitamin A Plus capsules in the city and district on June 28.
On the Day, the National Vitamin A Plus Campaign will be observed across the country with the aim of eliminating nutrition-related blindness and preventing child deaths caused by malnutrition in Bangladesh.
Under the campaign, all children aged 6-11 months will receive one blue Vitamin A capsule (100,000 IU), while children aged 12-59 months will be given one red Vitamin A capsule (200,000 IU).
Nutrition messages will also be disseminated to encourage mothers to provide home-prepared balanced foods alongside breastfeeding once a child reaches six months of age.
In Khulna district's nine upazilas and two municipalities, a total of 3, 23,857 children will receive Vitamin A capsules.
Of them, 39,389 are aged between 6 and 11 months while 2, 84,468 are aged between 12 and 59 months.
The Health Department of Khulna City Corporation (KCC) organised a press conference in the morning today to ensure the successful implementation of the campaign.
The conference was held at the conference room of the City Health Building on Sher-e-Bangla Road in the city.
KCC Administrator Nazrul Islam Manju attended the event as the chief guest with its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rajib Ahmed in the chair.
Addressing the gathering, the administrator said Vitamin A capsules play a significant role in enhancing children's immunity and preventing night blindness.
He urged all concerned to work sincerely to make the campaign a success.
Among others, Senior Information Officer of Khulna Regional Information Office Md. Mehedi Hasan, General Secretary of Khulna Press Club Md. Tarikul Islam, Chief Health Officer Dr. Sharif Shammiul Islam, and representatives of print, electronic and online media attended the event.
The press conference was informed that a total of 1,08,952 children in Khulna city will receive Vitamin A capsules.
Of them, 12,337 are aged between 6 and 11 months, while 96,655 are aged between 12 and 59 months.
A total of 1,762 permanent and temporary centres will be set up for administering the capsules.
Children aged 6-11 months will receive blue capsules (100,000 IU), while children aged 12-59 months will receive red capsules (200,000 IU). Nutrition awareness messages will also be delivered to parents and caregivers at all centres across the city's 31 wards.
This year, 1,420 volunteers, 62 supervisors, 580 ward-based centres, 710 general centres, 80 mobile centres and 50 NGO-operated centres will be engaged in implementing the campaign in the city.
Meanwhile, a district-level advocacy and planning meeting was held today at the conference room of the School Health Clinic in Khulna city to ensure the successful implementation of the National Vitamin A Plus Campaign.
Civil Surgeon Dr. Mahfuza Khatun chaired the meeting.
She stressed the need to raise public awareness about Vitamin A supplementation and encourage parents to ensure their children receive the capsules.
The civil surgeon said the campaign would be implemented successfully through coordinated efforts of all government offices and relevant institutions in the district.
She called upon all stakeholders to intensify publicity and awareness activities within their respective areas of responsibility.
She further noted that children who received Vitamin A capsules within the last four months or earlier will not be administered capsules during this campaign.
Children must be given the capsules on a full stomach, she added.
Dr. Mahfuza also mentioned that Vitamin A capsules will be administered only on the designated campaign day this year.
Among others, Superintendent of Khulna Sadar Hospital Dr. Md. Rafiqul Islam Gazi, Deputy Director of the Department of Family Planning Md. Akib Uddin, officials from different government departments and upazila health and family planning officers attended the meeting.
