The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on 14 June 2017 launched the Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF) to intensify efforts to reduce child deaths due to diarrhoea.
Through this initiative, the Health Ministry aims to mobilize health personnel, State Governments and other stakeholders to prioritize investment in control of diarrhoea.
Highlights of the Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF)
• It aims to create mass awareness about the most effective and low-cost diarrhoea treatment that is a combination of Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS) solution and Zinc tablets.
• During the campaign timeline, intensified community awareness campaigns on hygiene and promotion of ORS and Zinc therapy will be conducted at state, district and village levels.
• Nearly 12 crore under 5-children will be covered during the program across the country.
• ASHA worker would undertake distribution of ORS packets to households with under-five children in her village.
• ORS-Zinc Corners will be set-up at health care facilities and non-health facilities such as Schools and Anganwadi centres.
• Frontline workers will hold demonstration of ORS preparation, along with counselling on feeding during diarrhoea and hygiene and sanitation.
Comment
India witnessed a consistent decline in Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Under-Five Mortality Rate (U5MR) during last two decades. This decline can be attributed to increased access to immunization and child healthcare services.
However still an estimated 1.1 million children die each year in India, including approximately 1.1 lakh deaths due to diarrhoea.
Almost all the deaths due to diarrhoea can be averted by preventing and treating dehydration by use of ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution), administration of Zinc tablets along with adequate nutritional intake by the child.
Diarrhoea can also be prevented with safe drinking water, sanitation, breastfeeding and appropriate nutrition and hand-washing.
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