Kashi launches month-long Vitamin-A, IFA campaign for 3.9L children

Varanasi: The Vitamin-A Supplementation and Iron Folic Acid (IFA) distribution campaign was launched on Wednesday by chief medical officer D. Mukesh Kumar at the Anganwadi Centre in Nawabganj, where he administered Vitamin-A doses and IFA syrup to children. The month-long campaign aims to cover 3,92,921 children across the district with Vitamin-A supplementation.

Dr Mukesh Kumar said that Vitamin-A plays a crucial role in the physical and mental development of children, strengthening immunity and maintaining healthy eyesight. He noted that a deficiency of Vitamin-A increases the risk of infections and several other health complications among children.

The CMO urged parents and guardians to ensure that all eligible children are brought to designated session sites to receive the Vitamin-A dose. He added that, alongside Vitamin-A supplementation, Iron Folic Acid (IFA) syrup will also be distributed to children aged between six months and 59 months. The initiative aims to prevent anaemia among children and support their healthy growth and development.

District immunization officer Dr SS Kannaujia said that sufficient stocks of Vitamin-A and IFA syrup have been made available at all health facilities and sub-centres across the district to ensure the smooth implementation of the campaign.

He informed that Health department teams, with the support of ASHA and Anganwadi workers, will reach out to eligible beneficiaries and provide services during the campaign period. He described the Vitamin-A supplementation and IFA distribution drive as an important public health initiative aimed at protecting children from malnutrition and anaemia.

Dr Kannaujia appealed to parents to take their children to the nearest immunization and health session sites on the scheduled dates and actively participate in the campaign. He said that community cooperation would play a key role in achieving the campaign’s objectives and ensuring better health outcomes for children across the district.