Dhaka, May 29 (UNB) - The national Vitamin A plus campaign will be observed across the country on June 2 with a view to preventing childhood blindness, reducing child mortality and strengthening immunity.

More than 2.20 crore children aged six months to five years will be fed high-powered Vitamin A capsules while more than 1.90 crore children will be given deworming tablets.

Besides, messages on exclusive breastfeeding for children till age six month will also be publicised during the campaign.

Children aged six months to 11 months will be given blue-coloured capsule of high-powered Vitamin A, children aged one year to five will be given red-coloured capsule of high-powered Vitamin A and children aged 2-5 years will be given deworming tablets.

Over four lakh health workers and volunteers will work together to make the nationwide campaign a success.

Health Minister Prof. Dr AFM Ruhul Haque said this while addressing a press briefing at his ministry on Tuesday.

Every year, almost five lakh children in the world fall victim to night blindness disease due to lack of Vitamin A leading to their blindness. One third of under-five Bangladeshi children died due to the disease.

According to an estimate of WHO, night blindness was identified as one of public health problem.

High-powered Vitamin A capsule distribution activities among children aged six months to five years every six month began in 1974 for preventing night blindness and blindness.

Observance of Vitamin A week began from 1994.