Diarrhoea control fortnight begins
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 28 2015:
The Health Society (NHM), Manipur has launched the intensified diarrhoea control fortnight at RIMS jubilee hall today.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Phungzathang Tonsing and Directorate of Health Services Director and State Health Society Mission Director Dr Okram Ibomcha were the chief guest and president of the function respectively.
AYUSH Director Dr K Lokendro, RIMS Medical Superintendent in-charge Dr K Lekhachandra Sharma and Family Welfare Joint Director L Ashokumar also attended the function as guests of honour.
Speaking at the occasion, Phungzathang Tonsing said that the main objective of the fortnight observation is to protect children in the age of 0-5 years from diarrhoea and prevent mortality of infected children.
He said that Manipur is also one of the States in the NE region which has achieved the Government's targeted goals on diarrhoea.
Although, the disease kills over 1.5 lakh children in the country every year, the Minister said, only around 250 children die in the State due to diarrhoea per year.
Saying that the Medical Department has been seriously imparting knowledge on precautionary measures to the public, the Minister said that the Government has launched this fortnight observation as children's lives are paramount.
As part of the fortnight observation, apart from making available medicines at district hospitals, CHCs, PHCs and PHSCs, Asha workers would distribute diarrhoea medicines to every family, the Minister said.
In his speech, Dr Okram Ibomcha said that spread of diarrhoea happens mainly during rainy season and post monsoon months.
He said that the Government is trying to bring down the mortality rate from 250 to 0 per year.
Dr Ibomcha further said that distribution of medicines at the doorsteps is a must to achieve this goal.
Dr K Lokendro while speaking at the occasion mentioned mass awareness and public hygiene as the important points for diarrhoea control.
Earlier, the gathering paid homage to former President APJ Abdul Kalam by observing a two-minute silence.