Bangladesh launches massive Vitamin A drive to fight childhood blindness

Bangladesh will launch a nationwide Vitamin A supplementation campaign on June 28. The initiative aims to prevent childhood blindness and combat malnutrition. Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain will officially open the event at Abu Sayeed Convention Centre in Shahbagh. The campaign will run from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm across the country. It targets 23,514,972 children, with those aged 6 to 11 months receiving blue Vitamin A capsules and those aged 12 to 59 months receiving red ones.

Over 120,000 centres, including 500 mobile units, have been set up nationwide. Local lawmakers and administrative authorities will participate in simultaneous launches at district and upazila levels.

Vitamin A supplementation was first introduced in Bangladesh in 1973 under the National Night Blindness Prevention Programme. The campaigns typically occur twice a year, but this is the first nationwide effort since March 2021 due to capsule shortages. Vitamin A is vital for child health, preventing blindness, boosting immunity, and reducing risks from diarrhoea and mortality.

Civil Surgeons and Upazila Health Officers will monitor activities locally. Central officials will oversee the implementation across the country. The Health Minister has called on parents and guardians to bring their children to the nearest centre on the campaign day. The campaign marks a significant step in addressing childhood malnutrition and blindness. It will cover millions of children through a well-organised network of centres. Authorities have emphasised the importance of widespread participation to ensure its success.