Public Health and Family Welfare Minister Rustam Singh has said that safety of children is one of the major tasks these days. He expressed concern that a number of children die of diarrhoea till attaining age of 5 years.
He informed that the Government is committed to curb this and Intensive Diarrhoea Control Fortnight is being implemented to bring awareness in this regard among people. During the fortnight, a target has been set to distribute Zinc pills and ORS packets to be distributed to over 1.05 crore children. A special campaign will be launched in all the villages of the state to apprise people of merits of small family, family welfare resources and consultation.
He inaugurated Intensive Diarrhoea Control Fortnight and Population Stabilisation Month at IEC Bureau here on Monday. Mission Director V Kiran Gopal, Director Dr BN Chouhan, Dr BS Ohri, Joint Director Kiran Shejwar, Deputy Director Dr Rajshri Bajaj and CMHO Dr Beena Sinha were also present on the occasion.
Rustam Singh informed that it is important the knowledge about causes, symptoms and treatment of diarrhoea is imparted to children and their parents. Diarrhoea can be prevented by being cautious about very small things for example proper handwashing, consume only clean drinking water etc. Singh informed that last year Zinc pills and ORS packets were distributed to about 81 lakh children in the state. This year, a target has been set to distribute Zinc pills and ORS packets to be distributed to over 1.05 crore children.
The Minister informed that polluted water is the major cause of diarrhoea. Information about clean drinking water will also be given to people during the fortnight. He directed to undertake efforts from right now to curb spread of malaria, dengue etc. which are caused due to stagnant water after rainy season. Singh said that field staff should actively prevent spread of diseases. He informed that the department has formed special teams for prevention of such diseases after floods.
Earlier, Mission Director Gopal informed that efforts would be made to benefit maximum number of children during fortnight. Dr Rajshri Bajaj informed that fortnight is being organised from July 11 to 23. CMHO Dr Sinha conducted the proceedings.
Rustan Singh also inaugurated Population Stabilisation Month. He said that resources are dwindling due to ever increasing population. He said that population control is need of the hour. Singh informed that information about planned family will be given in all villages during the month. The people who have adopt family planning measures will be rewarded under Prerna Yojana.
They will be given incentives as per eligibility. He said that district collectors, CMHOs and panchayat representatives should make joint efforts for population stabilization at district level. Earlier, Director Dr Ohri informed about Population Stabilisation Month. On the occasion, state level seminar was also held at the office of NAHM. Suggestions about population stabilisation were also given and strategy about it was discussed at the meeting.