Intensive Diarrhea control fortnight to start from July 4 in district
154500 children to be covered during the drive
*ORS and Zinc corners set up in government health institutions*
Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, 3 July 2023:
Intensive Diarrhea control fortnight would be observed from July 4 to July 17 in government health institutions across the district.
Divulging details, Civil Surgeon Dr. Mahesh Kumar and District Immunization Officer Dr. Girish Dogra said that the main objective of the fortnight is to reduce the death rate of children and to achieve the goal- 'Zero Death' due to diarrhea in the district. They said that almost all the deaths due to diarrhea could be averted by administering the right quantity of Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS) and doses of zinc tablets along with adequate nutritional intake by the child. Around 154500 children up to the age of 5 years will be covered in the district.
They said that ORS and zinc corners have been set up in all the government health centres across the district and health workers will hold demonstrations on how to prepare ORS solutions. The health officials added that Asha workers will go door to door to distribute ORS packets and Zinc tablets among 0 to 5 year old children so that the child can be given life-saving solutions at home if required.
They said that diarrhea, which is one of the most common illnesses among children, can be prevented by increasing access to safe drinking water, improving sanitation and hygiene, breastfeeding for at least six months, hand-washing and appropriate nutrition. Intensified community awareness activities on the necessity of maintaining hygiene and promotion of ORS and zinc therapy for the treatment of the disease will be conducted at district and village levels during the campaign.