ORS Day Celebration 2022 : Call for educating masses about uses of ORS stressed
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 29 2022: As celebrated across the country, Paediatric Association of Manipur (PAM) also organised "Oral rehydration solution (ORS) Day Celebration 2022" at the Conference Hall of JNIMS in Porompat today under the theme "Jodi no 1-ORS and Zinc" .

Dignitaries present at the event include Professor Laishram Deben Singh, Di-tector, JNIMS; Professor N Kameshore Singh, president PAM; Professor Kh Lokeshwar, Medical Superintendent, JNIMS and paediatrician Dr Shyamkumar Laishram as the chief guest, president and guests of honour respectively.

Speaking as the chief guest, Professor Laishram Deben Singh highlighted the need to educate the public at large about the uses of Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS).

Stressing on the effectiveness of ORS and Zinc tablets in treating diarrhoea, the Director stated that people have adopted this combination of medication after learning of its benefits.

In olden days, when children suffered from diarrhoea, they were forbidden from consuming solid food and even drinking water.

This ultimately dehydrated the suffering child which at times led to precarious health conditions, Professor Deben said.

Maintaining that some people still uphold this age-old belief in treatment of diarrhoea, he focused on the importance of spreading awareness about its treatment with a combination of ORS and zinc tablets.

As such, the Director stated that the medical fraternity as well as all sections of the public must proactively support the State Government's initiative to impart awareness about the matter through distribution of pamphlets and the work of health personnel such as ASHA workers.

He also added that ORS Day will be celebrated in the coming years as well.

It is worth noting that in 1978 the World Health Organisation (WHO) had adopted administering of ORS as a means to combat diarrhoea.

Indian Academy of Pediatrics Diarrheal Diseases also observes July 29 as ORS Day in a bid to spread awareness about the importance of ORS in treating diarrhoea.

Aside from this, all States and UTs in India conducted Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF) from June 13 to 27, 2022 under National Health Mission which was accompanied by the distribution of ORS packets and Zinc tablets to vulnerable households.

Notably, according to the most recent report from National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), 60.6% of all children under 5 years of age suffering from diarrhoea are administered ORS and only 30.5% of these children are treated with Zinc tablets.

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