Govt targets zero diarrhea death in State

Department of Health and Family Welfare has intensified efforts to ensure zero death among children due to diarrhea. To strengthen the effort and to accelerate reduction of mortality and morbidity due to diarrhoeal disease and malnutrition, the Department has launched Intensified Diarrhea Control Fortnight from July 28 to August 8.
The Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF) was launched by Dr. G Kemp, Principal Director of Health and Family Welfare, Nagaland, and Chairman of State Level IDCF Steering Committee, at IDSP conference hall in the Directorate of H&FW, Kohima, on Wednesday organized by the Department of the Health and Family Welfare, Nagaland.
Addressing the gathering Dr. Kemp said childhood diarrhoea diseases continue to be one of the major killers among children under five years contributing to 11% deaths in the country and amounting to around 2 lakhs children die annually. He said deaths due to diarrhea and malnutrition are preventable by simple and effective means such as use of Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) and administration of zinc tablets for treating dehydration.
Kemp said creating awareness and management in the right prospective could reduce diarrhoea deaths cases among the children to large extent and urged the active participation of everyone in every nook and corner of the state. He informed that adding a bit of salt and sugar to the water and make it drink helps the patients before proper medication.
Mission Director (NHM) Nagaland, Dr. Neikietuo Chiesotsu, in his welcome address, said reduction of childhood mortality is one of the prime goals of national health mission and millennium development goals. He said this fortnight launching programme was initiated by the central government to create awareness and reduce the mortality rate of the children due to diarrhoea disease. To strengthen the effort and to accelerate reduction of mortality and morbidity due to diarrhoeal disease and malnutrition, Dr. Chiesotsu said IDCF would be observed from July 28 – August 8 annually with the ultimate aim to ensure zero deaths due to childhood diarrhoea.
A representative from Naga Mother Association (NMA) said NMA has a deep concern over the deaths of the children in the state. She urged the mothers to be more responsible in taking care of the children health. She said the government has the bounty duty for the health care of the people.      
The programme was led by Dr. Obangjungla, Deputy Director of RCH, while the vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. Limaakum Jamir, SPO NHM.
It may be mentioned that IDCF would focus on activities of awareness generation and simple proven interventions that have large impact towards control of childhood diarrhoeal morbidity and mortality. The activities would included home visit by ASHA, provide prophylactic distribution of ORS packets, age appropriate IYCF counseling, demonstrate and counsel on preparation of ORS, establishment of ORS zinc corners at medical colleges, district hospitals, block health facilities and other treatment sites of government, hand washing demonstration and practices in schools and others.