PASIGHAT, Jun 25: East Siang DMO Dr Kaling Dai has stressed on proper implementation of the activities in the focus areas during the Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF) which is going to be observed from 28 June.
“The key areas are proper distribution of ORS and administration of zinc tablets to under-five children to combat dehydration due to diarrhoea, coverage of all houses, awareness activities, proper sanitation, safe drinking water, disinfection of water sources, and hand-washing demonstrations in schools,” Dr Dai said during a coordination meeting organised by the District Health Society (DHS) here on Tuesday.
He said the soon-to-be-introduced rotavirus vaccine would be effective in preventing life-threatening cases of rotavirus infection.
The DMO asked the medical officers (MO) in charge of PHCs and CHCs, block community mobilizers, health workers, ANMs and ASHAs to maintain a timeline of the IDCF implementation for reducing incidences of diarrhoeal cases.
He also instructed the MOs to entrust ANMs and ASHAs with the task of visiting every house, particularly in the vulnerable areas, “so that no child is left out during the fortnight-long IDCF.”
Earlier, presenting an overview of the IDCF and its objectives, DRCHO Dr T Gao said, “Childhood diarrhoeal diseases, particularly during summer and monsoon season, is one of the life-threatening diseases of under-five children. Ten percent of under-five childhood deaths in India are due to diarrhoea.”
The DRCHO said since dehydration is the main cause of diarrhoeal deaths, “the target is to increase ORS and zinc coverage to 90 percent by 2025 from 50.6 percent.”
He stressed on setting up “ORS and zinc corners” and administration of zinc tablets to under-five children to remain protected for four months.
The meeting was attended by, among others, Bakin Pertin General Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr YR Darrang, ICDS Deputy Director Ponung Ering Angu, PHED AE T Padung, and MOs in charge of PHCs and CHCs.
A district level coordination meeting on the IDCF was also convened in Papum Pare HQ Yupia recently by DPO (NCD) Dr RR Ronya.
Participating in the meeting, NO-MCH NHM nodal officer, Dr Tana Natung, made a PowerPoint presentation on the IDCF.
“The programme was implemented in 2014 with the aim of achieving zero child deaths due to childhood diarrhoea,” he informed, adding that death by diarrhoea can be prevented by giving the ailing infant or child ORS and zinc tablet.
PHED EE Tado Hukam noted that safe drinking water is essential, but expressed regret over the department’s inability to supply clean water, especially during the monsoon season.
“Unless the problem of siltation is solved, it will not be possible to provide clean water during the rainy days,” he said.
The WCD deputy director in-charge requested the DHS to “maintain contact with the CDPOs of the blocks concerned, before and during implementation of the IDCF programme in the district, for a positive outcome.”
Dr Natung and the DRCHO spoke on child and maternal deaths, as well as family planning. (DIPROs)
