Agartala: July 01: In a significant step towards reducing child mortality due to diarrhea, the government has officially launched the “Stop Diarrhoea Campaign.” This crucial initiative aims to combat the common abdominal ailment that claims nearly 50,000 young lives annually across the country. The campaign, which runs from July 1, 2024, to August 31, 2024, focuses on preventing dehydration and improving child health.
Under the campaign, dedicated health workers will visit households door-to-door, distributing essential supplies to approximately three lakh children aged zero to five. Each child will receive two packets of Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) and 14 zinc tablets. These simple yet effective interventions can help cure diarrhea and restore children to normal health.
When a child experiences diarrhea, immediate administration of ORS mixed water is crucial. To prepare it, parents should boil and cool one liter of water, mix it with one packet of ORS, and give it to the child. It’s essential to note that ORS mixed water should not be stored for more than 24 hours.
For children with diarrhea, the recommended treatment includes both ORS mixed water and 14 zinc tablets. Babies under two months should not receive zinc tablets. Children aged two to six months should take half a zinc tablet daily for 14 days, while those between six months and five years should take one zinc tablet daily for the same duration. These zinc tablets aid in faster recovery and boost immunity.
Preventing the harmful effects of diarrhea involves practicing good hygiene habits. Families should encourage thorough handwashing before meals and after using the toilet, ensure access to safe drinking water, and follow correct procedures for using ORS and zinc tablets. By collectively adopting these measures, we can safeguard our children’s health and well-being.
