Task force discusses diarrhoea control, Rotavirus vaccine campaign

Dimapur, May 28 (EMN): Members of the Mokokchung district task force for the intensified diarrhoea control fortnight (IDCF) and rotavirus vaccine campaign met on May 27 in Mokokchung to discuss preparations concerning the health programme.

The establishment of Mokokchung’s chief medical officer issued a press release on Monday informing about the meeting.

During the meeting, Dr. Ayangla Saku said that the IDCF campaign would commence from May 28 and be conducted till the 8th of June. Arrangements are being made to reach out to the target population, the press release stated.

Saku updated the health officials about the “purpose of the campaign” and emphasised achieving ‘zero child deaths’ due to diarrhoea in the age group 0-five years.

The campaign aims to educate the public about the most effective and low cost diarrhoea treatment which is a combination of oral rehydration salt (ORS) solution and Zinc tablets, the press release stated.

Intensified community awareness campaigns on hygiene and promotion of the ORS and Zinc therapy will be conducted, the updates stated.

Accredited social health activists will be distributing ORS packets to households in the village, the updates stated.

Further, “frontline workers” will demonstrate ORS preparation besides giving counselling on feeding during diarrhoea, hygiene and sanitation.

The health officer also spoke about the introduction of the Rotavirus vaccine, which is used to protect against rotavirus infections, a leading cause of severe diarrhoea among young children, she said. The vaccine is said to decrease the risk of death due to diarrhoea, the press release stated.

The Rotavirus vaccine will be included in the routine immunization programme and which will be launched in the state of Nagaland by July 2019, the press release added.