Shillong: Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF) was launched on Tuesday at Ganesh Das Hospita with the aim to intensify efforts to reduce child deaths due to diarrhoea.
The two-week long nationwide drive will focus on mobilising health personnel, state governments and other stakeholders to prioritise investment in control of diarrhea. It will also aim to create mass awareness about the most effective and low-cost diarrhoea treatment – a combination of Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS) solution and Zinc tablets.
P Ingty, who was the chief guest during the occasion, informed that 10 per cent of inafant death in the country caused of diarrhea, with it, also, being the second-highest cause of childhood death in the state. Therefore, both the Centre and state are committed to work hand-in-hand to eradicate untimely 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, Ingty called upon all stake holders to priorities IDCF during their fortnight activities
Secretary of Health and Family Welfare-cum-Mission Director, NHM, P Bakshi stated that under IDCF, free zinc tablets and ORS will be distributed to households with under 5-year-old children. He further stated that awareness programmes for parents on ways to handle cases of diarrhoea in children will also be conducted.
