Diarrhoea control fortnight
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 26 2014 :
An extensive house to house to campaign of checking if any child is suffering from diarrhoea and administration of ORS and zinc tablets in the event of detection of diarrhoea cases would be launched in the State with the help of ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activist) .
The campaign is a part of the Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight which would be observed across the country from July 28 to August 8 .
Briefing media persons today, National Rural Health Mission, State Mission Director Dr O Ibomcha said that diarrhoea kills two lakh children every year in the country even though the disease is curable 100 per cent.
On the average 300 children are killed by diarrhoea in Manipur every year.
Out of every 100 children who died due to different diseases in India, diarrhoea accounted for 10 .
Generally diarrhoea control and awareness programmes are observed/held across the country in the months of April, May and June every year.
The Government of India has taken one more step this time and the diarrhoea control fortnight would be observed across the country, Dr Ibomcha said.
The programme would be held under the auspices of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
State Nodal Officer (Child Health) Dr Tomcha informed that the Ministry has appointed State level as well as district level nodal officers with a conviction to effectively control diarrhoea.
Apart from constitution a State steering committee, due preparations have been initiated for effective coordination with line departments and NGOs.
ASHAs detailed for the programme would go to each and every household of Manipur and distribute ORS packets to all children aged five and below.
Children aged five and below constitute 10 per cent of the total population of Manipur.
Based on this data, it is estimated that 2.70 lakh ORS packets would be distributed during the fortnight.
If any children suffering from diarrhoea are detected, they would be given ORS packets and zinc tablets.
Moreover, their parents or elders would be taught on how to prepare ORS and when they should feed the solution to children.
Apart from the door to door campaign, the Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight would be observed at State hospitals, district hospitals, CHCs, PHCs and PHSCs.
From August 3 onward, ASHAs would go for another round of door to door campaign and check if any child is suffering from malnutrition.
No children would suffer from diarrhoea if they are suckling, drink safe water, eat healthy food and live in clean environment, Dr Tomcha said.
He further informed that intensive awareness generation programmes would be organised to generate healthcare awareness for lactating mothers and children aged five and below.
As per the Millennium Development Goal, mortality rate of children between 0-1 year should be reduced to 28 per 1000 by 2015.Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) for India at present is 42 per 1000.IMR for Manipur is 10 per 1000 .
Child delivery related death rate (of mothers) of India is 196 for every one lakh babies born.
The corresponding figure for Manipur 75 .
The all India figure should be brought down to 109 according to the Millennium Development Goal.
Many food items are denied to pregnant and lactating mothers either due to traditions, conventions or superstitions but there is no food item which pregnant or lactating mother cannot eat, Dr Ibomcha asserted.
There is no harm for a woman to eat protein rich food items like fish, chicken and other meat after child delivery.
Denial of oil riched food items robbed Vitamins A, D, E and K off lactating mothers which are required for development of the child's brain, Dr Ibomcha added.
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