2,690 ORS, zinc to open in DK: DHO

Team Udayavani, Jun 3, 2019, 11:39 AM IST

Mangaluru: 2,690 oral re-hydration solution (ORS) and zinc corners will be set up in anganwadi centres, PHCs, CHCs, taluk and district hospitals from June 3, informed District Health Officer Dr Ramakrishna Rao.

The move has been taken up by the Health Department with various medical colleges and the Women and Child Development Department. The drive is a part of ‘intensified diarrhoea control fortnight’ campaign targeting children below the age of five years in the district, said the DHO.

“In the ORS and zinc corners, demonstration will be provided on preparing ORS mixture and the need to use ORS to check dehydration during diarrhoea. They will also administer ORS and zinc tablets to children who are in need of these during diarrhoea. Zinc tablets will be given to children suffering from diarrhoea for 14 days to develop their immunity,” explained the DHO.

“The intensified diarrhoea control fortnight campaign will be held from June 3 to 17,” he added.

‘Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight’ (IDCF)

Mr Rao said the nationwide ‘Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight’ (IDCF) includes visits by Asha workers to all households that have children below five years of age. ORS sachets will be handed over to such household by the workers and the parents will be informed on the benefits and process of preparing it.

Priority will be given to hand washing among schoolchildren, cooks, anganwadi assistants, as lack of hygiene is one of the main causes of diarrhoea.

Breast-feeding

“We are taking up measures to create awareness on infant and young children’s feeding practices. Mothers will be told that infants should be exclusively breastfed for first six months and not to stop it even during diarrhoea,” informed Mr Rao.

2,101 Anganwadi workers, 1,354 Asha workers, 390 junior women health assistants, 16 Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram team members are part of the fortnight, said Dr Rao.

All the 230 gram panchayat PDOs and ULB commissioners and chief officers have been directed by the district administration to chlorinate the sources of water before supplying to the general public. All taluk hospitals, district hospital, PHCs and CHCs have also been directed to clean water tanks, and ensure that tankers supply safe water.