The government is set to conduct the National Vitamin ‘A’ Plus Campaign simultaneously across the country on Sunday, aiming to administer Vitamin ‘A’ capsules to approximately 24,036,022 children aged between 6 and 59 months.

The campaign will operate at designated centers from 8 am. to 4 pm.

Additionally, for children in remote areas, a child-to-child search activity will be conducted over the four days following the main event across 714 wards, 290 unions and 58 upazilas within 12 districts.

Organized in partnership with the Ministry of Health and UNICEF Bangladesh, the campaign will distribute two types of capsules based on age groups: children aged 6 to 11 months will receive one blue capsule, while those aged 12 to 59 months will be given one high-potency red Vitamin 'A' capsule.

These will be distributed through approximately 120,000 permanent centers and 500 temporary centers, including high-traffic locations such as bus terminals and ferry ghats, with the assistance of trained health workers and volunteers.

Highlighting the importance of the initiative, State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr. MA Muhit told reporters, “The National Vitamin ‘A' Plus Campaign is very important for children to grow up healthy, increase their immunity and reduce the risk of malnutrition-related deaths.”

The formal inauguration is scheduled for Sunday morning at the Abu Sayeed Convention Centre in Shahbagh, where Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain will preside over the ceremony, accompanied by State Minister Dr. MA Muhit and the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant, Dr. SM Ziauddin Haider.

At the local level, the campaign will be inaugurated by Members of Parliament (MPs) and district administrations, with Civil Surgeons and Upazila Health and Family Planning Officers overseeing monitoring efforts to ensure full implementation.

Emphasizing the necessity of the program, Minister Sakhawat Husain urged the public to cooperate, stating, “I call upon parents to ensure that all children aged 6 months to 5 years in the family are fed Vitamin 'A' capsules by taking them to the nearest campaign centre between 8 am and 4 pm on the day.”

Health officials underscored that Vitamin ‘A’ is critical for child development, as it not only prevents malnutrition-related blindness but also bolsters immunity, protects against persistent diarrhea and lowers child mortality rates.

Vitamin 'A' supplementation has been a cornerstone of public health efforts in Bangladesh to combat malnutrition and prevent blindness since the program was first introduced in 1973.