Arusha — A total of 51,728 children between six months to five years of age from the Meru District in Arusha region are expected to receive Vitamin A drops and de-worming drugs, it has recently been learnt at the campaign inauguration held at the District Hospital located at West Meru.

The council's campaign coordinator Jonatham Mollel told the Arusha Times, the inauguration of the campaign was a national event whereby each district sets its timetable at its own convenience.

Mollel said the drugs were supplied by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the district expects to serve the children at 70 dispensaries and health centres in the area.

Vitamin A is crucial in the child's physical and mental growth as well as strengthens the body immune system.

Speaking at the inauguration session, Arumeru's District Commissioner Mercy Silla called on the parents to send all their children to health facilities to receive the service.

DC Silla said it was the government policy for the exercise to reach out to all the children in the country.

She called on expectant mothers to attend maternity and child clinics for safe delivery and healthy child growth.

The district commissioner called on the women to make sure they went to hospitals or health centres at child birth to avoid maternity deaths.

She also spoke on challenges of the government in offering health services and saying that shortages of drugs, personnel and facilities were being addressed as it was the government's policy to ensure a healthy nation.