IDCF campaign launched to battle diarrhoea
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 06 2022:
The State-level 15-day 'Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight' (IDCF) campaign has been launched during an event held at JNIMS conference hall today.
The event was attended by L Nandakumar, Director Education (S); Dr K Rajo, Director, Health Services; Ngangom Uttam, Director, Social Services, Dr Dihe Mao, Director in-charge, Family Welfare Department and PHED Chief Engineer Shangreiphao Vashumwo.
Speaking on the occasion, State Nodal Officer (Child Health) Dr A Sylvia said that the prevalence rate of diarrhoea in children under 5 years of age is 5.6% in Manipur.
The IDCF campaign has been launched across all States and Union Territories across India under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare with the goal of ensuring that not a single child succumb to the disease, she said.
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She also enumerated the measures to be taken up under the campaign including intensifying the service provisions for diarrhoea case management, spreading awareness about the intake of zinc tablets through ASHA workers and distributing ORS and zinc tablets to households with children under 5 years of age.
Aside from this, she added that they will conduct tests on drinking water provided in schools in collaboration with the Education Department and PHED to test their potability.
Speaking as the chief guest, Dr Rajo said that many children under 5 fall victim to diarrhoea and as such stressed on the importance of IDCF campaigns to be conducted more often.
Highlighting the importance of ORS and zinc tablets in treating the disease, he also expressed hope that community health centres will stock these items and ensure their availability free of cost.
Director L Nandakumar also addressed the gathering and expressed hope that teachers and health experts will bring awareness to the children on the importance of washing their hands, cleanliness and sanitation on 'No School Bag Day' .
Social Welfare Director Ngangom Uttam stressed on the necessity of spreading awareness about the topic extensively to ensure the campaign is successful.
During the event, children under 5 years of age were given ORS while doctors and nurses demonstrated the correct way of preparing ORS and washing hands.
It may be noted that the IDCF campaign will conclude on July 20 .