NAHARLAGUN, Jun 28: The Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF) was launched across Arunachal Pradesh on Friday in order to intensify efforts to reduce child deaths due to diarrhoea.
Nearly 1.75 lakh children below five years of age would be covered during the programme across the state, Family Welfare Director Dr Allok Yirang informed after launching the IDCF at the NHM training hall here on Friday.
Dr Yirang said diarrhoeal deaths in children can be averted by preventing and treating dehydration by use of oral rehydration salt (ORS) and administration of zinc tablets.
The officers and officials of the family welfare department and the State Health Mission attended the programme.
Expressing concern over the death of six children below five years of age due to diarrhoea, Dr Yirang asked the district health officers to ensure that there are no more diarrhoeal deaths during 2019-20.
He also expressed unhappiness over the “inability on the part of the district health officers” to implement the child death review, in spite of repeated reminders.
He said the infant mortality rate (IMR) in Arunachal has touched an all-time high with the state recording 46 IMR per 1000 live births (SRS-2017).
“399 zinc-ORS corners will be set up at selected healthcare facilities and anganwadi centres, and 3887 ASHAs and 972 ANMs will be engaged for distribution of ORS packets and zinc tablets to households with under-five children,” said child health nodal officer Dr Tana Natung during a review meeting earlier.
As many as 3887 ASHAs and 972 trained ANMs would be engaged for distribution of ORS packets and zinc tablets to households with under-five children, he said.
During the fortnight, community awareness campaigns on hygiene and promotion of ORS and zinc therapy will also be conducted.
The frontline workers will stage demonstrations on ORS preparation, along with counselling on feeding during diarrhoea, besides hygiene and sanitation.
As per report, an estimated 1.1 million children die each year in India, including approximately 1.1 lakh deaths due to diarrhoea.
The diarrhoea control fortnight was also launched at all the UPHCs and PHCs and various healthcare facilities in the capital complex.
ORS sachets and zinc tablets were provided to the ANMs, ASHAs and ICDS centres for distribution, informed Capital Complex DMO Dr Mandip Perme.
The IDCF was also launched in East Siang by Deputy Commissioner Kinny Singh, in West Siang by DC Swetika Sachan, in Dibang Valley by DC (in-charge) Toni Mitkog, in Lower Dibang Valley by DIPRO N Namchoom, in Lower Subansiri by Ziro ADC Gombu Tsering, in Papum Pare by DC (in-charge) Tabang Bodung, and in Longding by DC Cheshta Yadav, in the presence of the DMOs, medical officers, nurses and ASHA workers. (With DIPRO inputs)
