An intensive diarrhoea control fortnight has been launched in the State. Under it, awareness activities are being carried out at the State capital, district, development block and village levels.
Health Minister Narottam Mishra launched the fortnight at information communication bureau on the premises of Jai Prakash Hospital here on Monday. On the occasion, the Health Minister distributed ORS packets and zinc tablets to mothers and children. Mishra said that diarrhoea is one of the causes of infant mortality. Stomach-related diseases, which occur more during the rainy season, can be controlled through awareness.
The Health Minister said that health services are being expanded at a rapid pace in the State. It has taken time since the State was backward in the health sector during previous regimes. Now, health indices are improving fast, he added. Priority is being attached to safeguard maternal and infants’ lives. Dr Mishra wished success to diarrhoea control campaign.
Principal Secretary Health Praveer Krishna said that infants should be fed only mother’s milk during first six months after birth and water should not be administered to it.
Diarrhoea control campaign will have two phases. Attention will be paid to disease management in the first phase and nutrition in the second phase. At the district level, collectors will also spare one day for diarrhoea control campaign. Those who attended the programme included Secretary Health Suraj Damor, Commissioner Health Pankaj Agrawal, Mission Director NHM Madhya Pradesh Faiz Ahmad Kidwai and Bhopal’s Chief Health and Medical Officer Pankaj Shukla.