Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight launched to control childhood diarrhoea mortality rate in Meghalaya

Intensified disease control fortnight launched

A Correspondent

SHILLONG: Meghalaya Additional Chief Secretary Peter W Ingty informed that diarrhoea is the second highest cause of childhood death in Meghalaya.

Ingty was speaking at the launch of the Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF) which was launched on Tuesday at Ganesh Das Hospital, Shillong. The IDCF aims to intensify efforts to reduce child deaths due to diarrhoea. According to Ingty, both the Central and State Governments all over the country are committed to work hand-in-hand to eradicate childhood death due to diarrhoea so as to reduce the infant mortality rate in the nation as a whole.

While stating that numerous activities have been chalked out throughout the State, the Additional Chief Secretary called upon all stakeholders to prioritize IDCF during their fortnight activities.

P Bakshi, Secretary, Health and Family Welfare-cum-Mission Director, NHM, Government of Meghalaya, while stressing on the need to protect children against diarrhoea, stated that under IDCF, free zinc tablets and ORS will be distributed to households with under 5 years old children and awareness programmes for parents on ways to handle cases of diarrhoea in children will be conducted.

Bakshi also informed that a Rotavirus Vaccine will be introduced by the Central Government and this is expected to reduce child mortality by decreasing the incidence of severe diarrhoea and the frequency of death from diarrhoeal disease.

Dr Y Shabong, paediatrician, Ganesh Das Hospital, provided a demonstration on the preparation of ORS and the use of Zinc tablets.

She also stated adopting healthy habits like hand washing, consuming safe drinking water, maintain sanitation as well as having proper nutrition will go a long way in preventing the occurrence of diarrhoea.

This two-week long nationwide drive focuses on mobilising health personnel, State Governments and other stakeholders to prioritize investment in control of diarrhoea and aims to create mass awareness about the most effective and low-cost diarrhoea treatment – a combination of Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS) solution and Zinc tablets.

Also read: Meghalaya news