The State-level Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight was flagged off by Jharkhand health department on Monday. The programme, which will go on till August 8 across the nation, aims to ensure zero deaths due to diarrhoea among children below the age of five.
Under the initiative, Sahiyas will deliver oral rehydration solution (ORS) sachets and zinc tablets to the households of the targeted beneficiaries and spread awareness about methods to prevent diarrhoea.
“Sahiyas will cover at least 20 houses in a day and for every ORS packets they deliver an incentive of Rs1 will be awarded to them. Under this project, the measures to prevent diarrhoea will be propagated door-to-door. We will be soon setting up counters dedicated to treatment of diarrhoea in health centres across the state. The practice of hand-washing will be inculcated in the schoolchildren of the state,” said state minister for health Ramchandra Chandravanshi, while addressing the gathering at the inauguration ceremony.
NHM Director-in-Chief Sumant Mishra said, “The infant mortality rate of Jharkhand is below the national average but looks dire when compared to states like Kerala, diarrhoea being a prime contributor to this. According to WHO reports, ORS can save 90 out of 100 diarrhoea-affected children. Hygienic practises can put an end to its spread. We will make people of the state aware about both of them. We also wish that Rotavirus vaccine for diarrhoea should be included in the state immunisation plan.”
The project will be carried out on an inter-departmental basis. A total of 8338 ANM workers, 40,964 Sahiyas and 32,432 Anganwadi workers will be working under the project to provide its benefits to approximately 38 lakh targeted beneficiaries.
“We will be observing World Breastfeeding Week during IDCF between August 1 and 7 during which Sahiyas will screen and treat malnourished children. Our resources and task force are ready for this. Those children who can be saved, will be saved,” said NHM Mission Director Ashish Singhmar.
“Diarrhoea can be prevented by implementing certain household measures like hand-washing and cleanliness. As a partner organisation, we will cooperate with the state Government to the best of our abilities,” stated Madhulika Jonathan, state UNICEF head.
The project will be taken up by both rural and urban wings of National Health Mission, aiming to eradicate diarrhoea deaths not only from far-off villages but slum areas in cities too.