In order to keep the children healthy and eliminate diarrhea, one of the major cause of deaths especially in children, the health department is set to start an Intensified Diarrhea Control Fortnight from July 8.

Under the fortnight, a total of 3.34 lakh packets of oral rehydration solution (ORS) and 5 lakh zinc tablets will be distributed by the health department. Divulging the details, the deputy commissioner Varinder Kumar Sharma said that each household having children aged five will be covered by an extensive branch of health workers including ASHA and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), who will conduct house to house survey during this fortnight.

He said that the health teams will give demonstrations into houses to how to prepare ORS solution in a right manner when mothers of children should feed the solution to children so that it can protect children from this water-borne disease. Mr Sharma said that separate teams under Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) program, will visit schools to train children about the importance of washing hands before eating.

He added that the health teams visiting households will also keep the whole date of detection of undernourished children and these teams will give a report to the department so that special attention to be given towards them. The Deputy Commissioner further told that the posters, banners, hoardings will be put into prominent locations besides awareness meetings will also be organized by department. District Immunization Officer Dr Tarsem Singh said that the department is already holding a training workshop for all senior medical officers and medical officers of the district under this drive and around 1425 ASHA workers and 300 ANMs will go under training to make a successful drive.

He said that counselling corners will be established at government health facility including district hospitals, community and primary health and Anganwadi centers. Mr Singh also stated that health corners will also be set up in the hospitals including civil and ESI hospital, primary health centers, sub-centers, mini health centers and private clinics. The children coming into centers would also be given ORS packets and tablets.

DIO said that special importance would also be given to promote exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months which gives tremendous health benefits to the child and protects them from many diseases.