Nearly two lakh children are affected by diarrhoea annually in the State due to consumption of contaminated food and water, lack of sanitation and cleanliness, said Minister for Health and Family Welfare U.T. Khader.
Launch of IDCFSpeaking after launching the Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF) campaign at a community health centre at Kadugondanahalli here on Wednesday, he said one of the main goals of conducting this initiative was to reduce child mortality. Childhood diarrhoea diseases continue to be the major reason for the death of children under the age of five.
Mr. Khader distributed ORS packets to children under the age of five, and stressed the need for creating more awareness on preventive measures among parents and health workers. A stock of 40.35 lakh ORS packets and zinc sulfate syrup has been sent to primary health centres and it will be distributed to children by ASHA workers, he said.
SafetyMost cases of childhood diarrhoea can be prevented by consuming safe drinking water, improving sanitation and by washing hands properly and maintaining cleanliness, he said.
