Over two lakh children in the State suffer from severe diarrhoea every year, according to U T Khader, Minister for Health and Family Welfare. He also announced the precautionary measures that would be put in place.
A day after the Union government announced the observation of Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF), Khader, on Wednesday in the City said that the State would take measures as part of the programme to prevent malnutrition.
Pointing out that diarrhoea was one of the primary reasons for child mortality, he said that programmes would be organised in all districts to spread awareness. As a part of the programme, ORS packets and Zinc Sulphate Syrup have been distributed to government hospitals, he said.
“So far, we have distributed 40,35,370 packets of ORS and 4,55,070 bottles of Zinc Sulphate syrup to Primary Health Centres (PHCs),” Khader added.
Explaining that the IDCF programme would be on till August 8, the minister said that it would be done in two phases. In the first week, Khader said that the Accredited Social Health Activists (Asha) workers would visit each house and distribute ORS packets to those with children aged below five years.
“They will also teach parents or caretakers how it has to be consumed. Ashas will also help them understand administering Zinc Sulphate syrup,” he said.
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