Although the monsoon has provided much needed respite to the residents from oppressive heat but along with it brings host of diseases like diarrhoea, Hepatitis A and E, Typhoid and dysentery. Every year around 5,000 children due to diarrhoea and over 3 lakh children are found affected with this disease.
The departments of Health, Social Welfare and Education with technical support of UNICEF are going to launch a statewide campaign to control diarrhoea and promote breastfeeding practices from July 28. It has two phases with the first phase from July 28-August 2 focusing on diarrhoea control activities and the second phase from August 4-8 on promoting breastfeeding practices for infants and children. The theme of the campaign is ‘Zero child deaths due to diarrhoea’.
Detailing out the campaign, Director, Health Services Dr AK Chaudhary, said that about 40,000 sahiyas will visit homes of 35 lakh children below 5 years in all villages in the state and provide ORS (oral rehydration salt) packets and Zinc tablets.
He said, “Besides, ORS and Zinc corners will be set up in all CHCs, District hospitals and medical colleges. Sahiyas will also identify severely malnourished children during their home visits and refer them to the malnutrition treatment centers (MTCs). In 40,000 schools in the state, hand washing with soap will be demonstrated, before children take the mid-day meal during the campaign. Every Sahiya will be paid one rupee per ORS distributed to children below five years at home,”
He further added that in the second phase of the campaign, sahiyas and anganwadi sevikas will counsel mothers on correct breast feeding practices of Infants. He sought the support of media to spread the message on prevention and control of diarrhoea as well as on promoting correct breast feeding practices.
Meanwhile, UNICEF Jharkhand Chief Job Zachariah had described diarrhoea as a major killer of children below five years said, “The good news is that children deaths can be prevented, as there are three magic bullets available to prevent and treat diarrhoea. The first magic bullet is washing hands with soap before eating and after defecation, which will prevent diarrhoea. The second is ORS and Zinc, which can effectively treat and prevent it. The third is breastfeeding within one hour of birth and exclusive breastfeeding in first six months of birth.”
Apart from causing death of children, repeated diarrhoeal episodes result in weight loss and malnutrition in children. In the case of malnourished children, diarrhoea worsens the condition. Diarrhoea causes loss of man days, reduces production and productivity and affects attendance of children in schools. The worst affected are malnourished children and children under two years of age. Diarrhoeal episodes usually happen during summer and monsoon months.
Deputy Director, Health Dr Ajit Kumar Prasad, said that steps have been taken to ensure availability of ORS and zinc with all Sahiyas and ANMs and in sub centres, CHCs, PHCs and hospitals. “Frontline workers are being oriented on the campaign” he said.
Nevertheless, Assistant Director, Directorate of Social Welfare Rajeev Ranjan had outlined the week long activities planned at over 38000 aanganwadi centers across the state for community mobilization, counseling and promotion of breastfeeding at the village level.