The national Vitamin ‘A’ plus campaign will be observed across the country on February 9 (Saturday), aiming to feed Vitamin A plus capsules to all children aged between six and 59 months.

Health Minister Zahid Malik announced the fresh date of the campaign at a press briefing at the secretariat, reports the UNB.

On January 17, the government postponed the Vitamin A plus campaign supposed to be held on January 19 citing ‘unavoidable reasons’.

Under the campaign, 25.27 lakh children aged between six and 11 months will be given blue coloured vitamin ‘A’ capsule while 1.95c crore children aged between 12 and 59 months will be given red coloured high-power capsules on that day.

Replying to a question the Health Minister said, ‘As a problem was detected in the Vitamin A capsules, we did not want to take any risk and we did not use those capsules. Now there is no problem.’

A probe committee was formed over the incident which has submitted a report. Those who are responsible for it will be punished, he said.

Responding to a question about the problems of the previous capsules, the Minister said ‘As supply of capsules was delayed, a case was filed with a court. It took around one and a half years to settle the case. During the time, the capsules were damaged and we did not want to take any risk.’

‘There is no problem in the capsules this time. The capsules have been tested not only in country’s lab but also in the laboratory having international standard,’ said Zahid Malek.

The campaign will be conducted through 1.20c centres across the country with the help of government and private organizations of the ministry, religious institutions, teachers and journalists. There will be government team at launch ghats, ferry ghats, toll plaza, Bangabandhu bridge, Daudkandi, Meghna bridges, Airports, stations and kheyaghat, said the minister.

The children of the remote areas under 240 unions in 42 upazilas of 12 districts will be fed the capsule in the next four days of the campaign day through conducting a search programme.