The state government is set to launch the 'Stop Diarrhoea' campaign on June 16 to prevent diarrheal cases among children during the upcoming monsoon season. The campaign will run until July 31 and aims to cover more than 37.53 lakh children below the age of five.
Free Distribution of ORS and Zinc Tablets
Under the programme, each eligible child will receive two packets of oral rehydration solution (ORS) and 14 Zinc tablets free of charge. Health officials have allocated 95.37 lakh ORS packets and 5.25 crore Zinc tablets for distribution across the state.
Role of Health Workers
Health Minister Y Satya Kumar Yadav stated that ANMs and ASHA workers will visit households and Anganwadi centres to distribute the supplements. Government hospitals have also been equipped to provide these supplies to children showing symptoms of diarrhoea.
Awareness Programmes
Alongside medicine distribution, awareness campaigns will focus on breastfeeding, hand hygiene, safe drinking water, and hygienic food practices to further reduce diarrheal incidents.
Declining Diarrhoea Prevalence
The health minister highlighted recent data showing diarrhoea remains a leading cause of child mortality in India. However, prevalence among children under five has dropped from 7.2% in NFHS-5 to 4.8% in NFHS-6, indicating improvements in sanitation, drinking water, and public awareness.
Coordinated Efforts
The campaign will be executed in coordination with departments of women and child welfare, panchayat raj and rural development, municipal administration, school education, and the Jal Jeevan Mission.
