Source: IFP
LAMKA, August 1: State Health minister Phungzathang Tonsing launched the “Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight” at the Churachandpur District Hospital today.
The inaugural ceremony was also attended by ADC, Churachandpur chairman Langkhanpau Guite as guest of honour and Churachandpur deputy commissioner PK Jha as the president.
The fortnight had started since July 28 and will continue till August 8.
India has been declared ‘Polio Free’ now the objective of the programme is ‘zero child deaths due to childhood diarrhoea’, the Health minister said.
Appealing to the public for cooperation, he also stated that the Intensified Diarrhoea Control Programme is one of the most important programme implemented by the Government of India, especially for children under five years of age.
He encouraged the MLAs, MDCs, government staff, schools, colleges and private institutions to be involved in the programme.
Phungzathang Tonsing also elaborated on the need for the health workers and the ASHA health workers to wear uniforms since they will be the driving force of the programme.
Department officials said that any children under the age of five years suffering from diarrhoea should be provided ½ a tablet of Zinc Sulphate and the other remaining half of the tablet should be discarded and not used again.
ADCC, chairman Langkhanpao Guite also said that the disease can be control with the active participation of the public.
PK Jha said the IDCP is an ambitious project and will cater to the needs of children from the villages and other interior areas whose parents have no easy accessibility to the hospitals.
He further elaborated on the importance of cleanliness in fighting the disease and said proper awareness should be highlighted in the villages.
On the onset of the program, the CMO, Churachandpur Dr Thangchinlkhup delivered the key-note address.
He appealed to the media and all to inform him in case any expired medicines are provided from his department.
During the programme, children will be administered ORS and Zinc Sulphate tablets and will be monitored throughout the two week long campaign. Awareness campaigns for the health workers including Anganwadi workers will also be conducted.
Program workers of the medical department had also presented skits/ drama highlighting the works of the ASHAs, their problems and the overall aspects of their functioning.
Health workers had also demonstrated ways to administer the ORS and Zinc Sulphate tablets during the programme.
Childhood diarrhoea is one of the major killers among children under five years of age in the country, contributing to 11 percent of deaths of under five children. Approximately two lakh children die due to diarrhoea annually in the country.
SP Churachandpur, K Kabib also attended the ceremony.