Port Blair, June 15:  Reduction of childhood mortality to 23 per 1,000 live births by 2025 is one of the prime goals of National Health Policy 2019. Childhood diarrhoeal diseases continue to be a major killer among under-five children in many states. Diarrhoea is considered when the stools have changed from usual pattern with increase in frequency and change in consistency (more water than faecal matter). Almost all the deaths due to diarrhoea can be averted by preventing and treating dehydration by the use of ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution) and administration of Zinc tablets along with adequate nutritional intake by the child during diarrhoea. Diarrhoea can be prevented by exclusive and continued breastfeeding, timely introduction of appropriate and safe complementary feeding, use of safe drinking water, hand-washing, sanitation and immunization.

Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF) will be observed from 19th June to 1st July, 2023 in this UT with the ultimate aim of ‘Zero Child Deaths due to childhood diarrhoea. Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF) consists of a set of activities to be implemented in an intensified manner during IDCF 2023 for prevention and control of deaths due to dehydration from diarrhoea. 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 and Zinc by ASHA in households with under-five children and awareness generation activities for hygiene and sanitation.