Port Blair, June 22: Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight is being observed by all the health facilities of this Union Territory from June 19 and will continue upto July 1, 2023. To mark the event, a State level programme was organized by Directorate of Health Services in association with UT Health Mission on June 20 at Community Hall Prothrapur with the ultimate aim to ensure ‘zero child deaths due to childhood diarrhoea among under 5 children’.

Smti. Champa Das, Pramukh South Andaman graced the occasion as chief guest.  The programme was attended by Medical Officers of RBSK Team, Assistant Professor, Tutor (Community Medicine), ANIIMS, Health Educators Community Health Officers, ANMs, AWWs, ASHAs and the general public of Prothrapur village.

Dr. Lakshya Beri, Assistant Professor (Community Medicine), ANIIMS briefed the gathering on the symptoms and sign of diarrhoea, its early recognition and management by ORS and Zinc tablet.  Demonstration of hand washing practices (6 steps) and preparation of ORS was also done by Community Health Officers. A skit was performed by ASHAs and ANM highlighting the home visits done by ASHAs/ANM during this Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight for distribution of ORS packets followed by advised on diarrhoea prevention and its management. ORS packets were distributed to the parents of under 5 children.

Smti. Champa Das in her address emphasised on the responsibility of the community in prevention of diarrhoeal diseases.

Dr. Suja Antony, Deputy Director (FW) expressed her gratitude and encouraged field functionaries to continue their work towards prevention and early treatment of Diarrhoea in under 5 children. More than 200 participants attended and were benefitted by this programme.

Earlier, Dr. Izra Begum, Medical Officer In-charge H&WC, Garacharma welcomed the gathering. Smti Sadhana, PHN, HWC, Garacharma proposed the vote of thanks, a press release from Deputy Director (FW), DHS said.