Dimapur, June 9 (EMN): Nagaland, along with the rest of the country, will be observing Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF) from the June 12 to 24.
The fortnight is been observed with a goal to attain zero child deaths due to childhood diarrhoea. The objective is to ensure high coverage of ORS and Zinc use rates in children with diarrhoea prevention & management of under-five children, with emphasis on the high priority areas and vulnerable communities. The activity is been intensified in the country due to the fact that, Childhood diarrhoeal disease continues to be one of the major killers among under five children in many states contributing to 11 percent of under five deaths in the country.
The Department of Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) in convergence with Allied Department of PHED, Social Welfare, Education, Indian Association of Pediatric Nagaland Branch (IAP-NL) and CBOs/ NGO’s like Naga Mothers Association (NMA) will implement the activities in the Schools in ensuring proper hand washing techniques, Anganwadi Centers for ORS depot and identifying children under five years of age and suffering from diahorrea through the anganwadis and the Department also appealed to the PHED on ensuring clean and safe drinking water in Schools, Anganwadi Centers and Health Units.
This year IDCF approaches are to improved availability and use of ORS and Zinc at the community, facility level strengthening to manage cases of dehydration and enhanced advocacy and communication on prevention and control of diarrhea through IEC campaign.
During the fortnight a set of activities will be implemented in an intensified manner for prevention and control of death due to dehydration caused by Diarrhoea across the country which are- intensification of advocacy activities, awareness generation activities for diarrhoea management, strengthening service provision for diarrhoea case management, establishing ORS- Zinc corners, distribution of ORS and Zinc by ASHA to household with under-five years of age children and awareness generation activities for sanitation and hygiene.
National Health Mission has appealed every household having children under-five years of age to avail the services which is been provided for free during the fortnight. One can also contact the nearest Health Units or ASHA for more information.
