July 28, 2014
WB Govt launches intensified Diarrhea Control Fortnight
West Bengal Government has taken up theinitiative to conduct a Intensified Diarrhea Control Fortnight (IDCF) from July28 to August 8, 2014. West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee, who isalso the Minister for Health, urged all the people of the State to join theinitiatives taken by the health Department. She appealed all to maintaincleanliness in order to prevent diarrhea. She wished wellness for all thepeople of the state.
Reduction of childhood mortality is one ofthe prime goals. Childhood diarrheal diseases continue to be a major killeramong under five children, contributing to 11 percent of under five deaths inthe country. Around 2 lakh children are lost due to diarrhea annually. Diarrhealdeaths are usually clustered in summer arid monsoon months and it takes tolldue to dehydration in children who are either malnourished or have poor accessto health care facilities.
Almost all the deaths due to diarrhea canbe prevented and easily averted by preventing and treating dehydration throughuse of ORS (Oral Rehydration Therapy) and Zinc tablets and adequate nutritionalintake. Most cases of childhood diarrhea can be prevented by using safedrinking water, improved sanitation, breastfeeding and hand-washing.
The effect of diarrhea on mortality ishighest in children and thus a special campaign to prevent and control diarrheahas been planned. A diarrhea Campaign with the aim of reducing diarrheal deathsby at least 50% in the year 2014 was undertaken in following phases:
Phase1: Awareness generation, procurement &supplies, sensitisation of health workers and system strengthening
Phase2: Setting up ORS corners at all Sub Centres /AWCs,distributions of ORS packets to all households with children under 5, communitydemonstration of preparation of ORS at VHNDs in every villages and urbancommunities.
Phase3: Intensification through prophylacticdistribution, treatment and management of dehydration and diarrhea.
To emphasize, the important components ofthis campaign following recommendations have been made:
- Comprehensive IEC campaign for Childhood Diarrhea
- Putting in place sufficient supplies of ORSand Zinc
- Sensitization of all health workers formanagement of dehydration
- Hand hygiene
- Set up ORS and Zinc distribution corners
- Community demonstration on preparing ORS atVHNDs in each village and urban community in the country should be carried outon regular basis.
- Prophylactic distribution.
- Involvement of Development Partners andNGOs
- Engage IAP to promote use of Zinc and ORSin treating diarrhea and for orienting private practitioners and IAP members
- Monitor the campaign
- Report deaths due to diarrhea
