Imphal: Health & IPR Minister Dr. Sapam Ranjan Singh on Tuesday launched Intensified Diarrhea Control Fortnight (IDCF) in the state. The launching occasion was held at the auditorium of DIPR at Nityaipat Chuthek Keisampat, Imphal West. The event was jointly organised by the State Health Society, National Health Mission, Manipur and Directorate of Health Services Government of Manipur.
Speaking at the occasion as Chief Guest, Health & IPR Minister Dr. S. Ranjan Singh advocated that the converged effort of departments like Social Welfare, Health & Family Welfare, Public Health Engineering (PHE) etc. will help to check and control diarrhoea. Keeping the habit of regular hand washing practices is also a step that we all need to maintain, he added.
He stated that awareness programmes on how to prevent and control diarrhoea should be organised at different levels. Preventive and emergency health care measures have also been taken up by the Health Department. The frontline health staff and volunteers like Anganwadi workers, ASHAs etc. need to play a big role in this regard. Health advisories by the concerned departments are required to be followed, the Minister asserted.
Speaking as President, Commissioner Health, Government of Manipur. Shri P.K. Jha, IAS, informed that diarrhoea contributes to 6.4% mortality of the children in the age group of 5 years and below. Basic practices of personal hygiene need to be maintained. He advised that if ORS is not available, boiled water mixed with salt and sugar can be used as an alternative. He appealed to all concerned to reaffirm the commitment to the discharge of duties for better health care.
Director Social Welfare, Ng. Utam Singh, SMD, National Health Mission, Manipur Dr. Somorjit Ningombam, Director DIPR, Manipur Dr. Th. Charanjit Singh, MCS, were also present on the launching occasion
