Written By: Longjam Dineshwori | Updated : June 14, 2022 11:18 AM IST
Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar on Monday launched the Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF)-2022, the goal of which is to attain zero child deaths due to childhood diarrhoea. The IDCF programme will be implemented from 13th June to 27th June, 2022 in the States/UTs.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Pawar highlighted that even today diarrhoea remains a major cause of death in children under the age of five.
"According to the latest report of SRS-2019, child mortality rate in the country has come down considerably since 2014. This rate has come down from 45 per 1000 live births in 2014 to 35 per 1000 live births in 2019. But even today, diseases related to diarrhoea continue to be a major cause of death in children under the age of five," she said.
Dr. Pawar stated that dehydration is the biggest cause of diarrhoea in children. Other reasons, according to her, include "a change in the baby's diet to make up for a change in the mother's diet when breastfeeding; use of antibiotics by the baby, or use by the mother while breastfeeding, or any type of bacterial or parasitic infection."
Dr. Pawar pointed out that there is lack of awareness among mothers regarding the importance of prevention and mitigation methods.
"According to the latest survey (NFHS-5) conducted by the Ministry, only 60.6 per cent children under the age of five with diarrhoea were given ORS and only 30.5 per cent were given zinc. This means that there is lack of awareness among mothers," she said.
She stressed the need for increasing awareness campaigns so that the rate of child mortality due to diarrhoea can be brought down to the minimum level.
Noting the resolve and commitment of the Indian Government towards this end, she stated that the Intensive Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF) is being organized since 2014 with an objective to 'bringing the number of deaths due to diarrhoea in childhood to zero'.
The programme is organized especially during summer/monsoon so that preventive measures can be taken.
Dr. Pawar noted that "a multi-sectoral participation approach at various governance levels for better impacts like mass awareness generation, rallies, competitions in schools, State and District level launch by leaders etc. will be beneficial in achieving our target."
The minister added that diarrhoea can be prevented through safe drinking water, breastfeeding/appropriate nutrition, hygiene and hygiene measures like handwashing, etc.
She noted that this has also been emphasized through initiatives like Swachh Bharat Mission, and these small behavioural changes have significantly helped India in reducing infant mortality rate.
IDCF consists of a set of activities to be implemented in an intensified manner for prevention and control of deaths due to dehydration from diarrhoea across all States & UTs. These activities mainly include intensification of advocacy & awareness generation activities for diarrhoea management, strengthening service provision for diarrhoea case management, establishment of ORS-Zinc corners, prepositioning of ORS by ASHA in households with under-five children and awareness generation activities for hygiene and sanitation.
One of the main activities under IDCF programme has been the activities by field workers including ASHA, ANM and anganwadi workers. Field workers visit the homes of families with children below five years of age and provide counselling in case of diarrhoea for distribution of zinc and ORS sachets. They also promote sanitation practices, breastfeeding practices and advise on preparation method of ORS through group meetings among mothers.
