Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight launched
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR
Imphal, August 23 2023:
While conveying that the government is well aware of the important role played by ASHA, ANM and Anganwadi workers in the health care system, health minister Dr Sapam Ranjan called upon the healthcare workers to provide full awareness to the people at the grassroots level as this will help reduce admission of patients in tertiary care.
Speaking as the chief guest at the launch event of Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF), jointly organised by the State Health Society, National Health Mission, Manipur and Directorate of Health Services, at DIPR auditorium in Nityaipat Chuthek Keishampat, Imphal West on Wednesday, Dr S Ranjan advocated for converged efforts of departments like Social Welfare, Health.& Family Welfare, Public Health Engineering (PHE), etc., which will in turn help to check and control the spread and occurrence of diarrhoea.
Keeping a habit of regular hand washing practice is also a step which we all need to maintain, he said.
The minister suggested that awareness programmes on how to prevent and control diarrhoea be organised at different levels particularly at the grassroots level to prevent patients seeking tertiary care or only at later stages.
In this regard, preventive and emergency healthcare measures have also been taken up by the Health Department.
The frontline health staff and volunteers like Anganwadi workers, ASHAs, etc., play a big role in this matter, Dr Ranjan said, while stressing the need for the departments concerned to follow and deliver health advisories related to diarrhoea, dengue and conjunctivitis at the grassroots level.
He then urged for health care facilities in all districts of the state to ensure effective implementation of the fortnight-long programme.
Delivering the presidential speech, commissioner (Health) PK Jha informed that diarrhoea accounts for 6.4 per cent mortality of children at the age group of 5 years and below and emphasised on importance of maintaining basic practices of personal hygiene.
He pointed out that in case ORS or zinc is not available, boiled water mixed with salt and sugar can be used as an alternative and also appealed to all concerned to reaffirm the commitment to the discharge of duties for a better health care.
Speaking as one of the guests of honour, National Health Mission, Manipur SMD Dr Somorjit Ningombam informed that the campaign aims to lower the mortality rate of children from diarrhoea till five years of age down to zero.
In addition to administering ORS and zinc tablets to children suffering from diarrhoea, parents/guardians should strictly follow other related guidelines.
Even after the diarrhoea has stopped, the children should be administered with zinc tablets for 14 days, he advised.
Social Welfare director Ng Uttam Singh, who was also one of the guests of honour, reminded that diarrhoea deaths in children can be avoided by strictly following the guidelines given by experts.
In addition to ensuring safe drinking water, children should be taught the correct and hygienic Way of washing hands.
He then urged for submission of data with regard to conduct of the programme in relief camps, covering around 12,000 children below 5 years of age, through the supervisors and CDPO concerned.
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