Vitamin A to be administered to 1 crore children in Bihar

Patna, Nov 26 (UNI) A three-day special drive to administer Vitamin A to one crore children between the age group of 9 months-3 years will get underway from November 28 in all 38 districts of Bihar.

Bihar Health Minister Chandramohan Rai flagged off 419 vans equipped with facilities of storage of the drug. The vans with health personnel will cover the far-flung areas of the state to administer Vitamin A to all children during the drive, officially named as 'catch up round'.

Mr Rai said a van would cater the needs of all primary health centres of the state in ensuring the smooth supply of Vitamin A drug.

''The Government still has to do a lot for regular vaccination of the children and eradication of polio disease,'' he added.

Vitamin A protects the children from night blindness and increases their resistance to fight the diseases like-- Diarrhoea, Khasra, Malaria, and respiratory disorder.

State representative of UNICEF Bijay Rajbhandari said during the last mission launched in April this year, 89 per cent of the children were administered Vitamin A but the latest drive would cover all children as vans would reach the entire state.

'Catch up round' for Vitamin A has been launched by Bihar government with assistance from UNICEF.

UNI XC-RS BA LL GC1837