No records of child mortality rate on diarrhoea
Principal Correspondent
Kohima, July 30
Even as there are no actual figures on the mortality rate of children below 5 years by diarrhoea in Nagaland, Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF) was launched in in the State today by Principal Director of Health & Family Welfare Dr. G. Kemp.
Replying to queries from media-person, officials of HFW said the state does not maintain the mortality rate but it is directly calculated at Delhi. However, in Nagaland there are not much cases of child deaths directly due to diarrheal, except for dehydration.
Dr. Kemp said that ICDF would be carried out throughout the state till August 8, 2014 wherein the health workers would be reaching out to children below five years of age.
Highlighting that though childhood diarrheal diseases continues to be one of the major killers among under five children in many states contributing to 11 per cent of under five deaths in the country, Dr Kemp suggested a homemade and natural remedy for mothers.
Providing a child with proper breast feeding during the first six months and also pinch of salt and sugar with water helps a child against diarrhoea, he said.
He also called upon the allied departments including School Education, Women Development, Social Welfare and Naga Mothers Association to join hands for the extensive and successful conduct of the fortnight throughout the state.
Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) joint secretary Malsawmthangi Leyri called upon the mothers to be responsible in dealing with health of infants. The NMA expressed hope that the programme would bring about radical change in fighting diarrhea while also appealing citizens to adhere to good hygiene. The NMA also extended its unwavering support to the success of the programme.
Around two lakh children die due to diarrhoea annual in the country, and the reduction of childhood mortality is one of the prime goals of National Health Mission and Millennium Development Goals, stated a handout of the HWF Department.
Under-nutrition is an underlying factor in almost 50% of under five children dying each year of preventable causes. Besides under-nutrition leads to growth retardation, impaired psycho-social and cognitive development, which further impacts on education attainment.
The handout also maintained that almost all the deaths due to diarrhea and malnutrition are preventable by simple but effective means such as – use of Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) and administration of zinc tablets for treating dehydration, exclusive breastfeeding, appropriate nutrition, provision of safe drinking water, sanitation and hand-washing practices.
Therefore, to strengthen the effort and to accelerate reduction of mortality and morbidity due to diarrheal diseases and malnutrition, IDCF would be observed with the ultimate aim of ‘zero child deaths due to childhood diarrhoea’, the handout added.
During fortnight, ASHA workers would visit household for prophylactic distribution of ORS packets for children below 5 years and also provide age appropriate IYCF counselling.
Initiatives would be made towards establishing of ORS-Zinc corners at Medical Colleges, Districts Hospitals, Block health facilities and other treatment sites of government. Hand washing demonstration and practices in schools would be conducted while also ensuring prescription of ORS with zinc dispersible tablets by all healthcare providers.
