State launches awareness campaign to control diarrhoea outbreak
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Bhubaneswar: Health minister Mukesh Mahaling on Monday visited the community health centre (CHC) at Bhuban in Dhenkanal district to meet diarrhoea patients and assess the situation.
He also launched a state-wide awareness campaign at the CHC to contain the outbreak with 2,000 diarrhoea and cholera cases reported from Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Bhadrak, Kendrapada and Cuttack districts. While 17 unofficial deaths have been reported from Jajpur (14), Keonjhar (2) and Kendrapada (1) districts, the govt has confirmed five casualties and is reviewing another five.
"Diarrhoea is a waterborne disease prevalent during monsoon.
State govt is taking all necessary measures for the prevention and control of the disease. Comprehensive awareness programmes are being conducted along with improved healthcare, essential equipment, medicines and infrastructure. The campaign will run until July 31," said Mahaling.
In an official statement, the health department said extensive health awareness and integrated efforts are being made to combat diarrhoea.
Practices such as hand washing, maintaining hygiene, eating balanced meals, drinking safe water, keeping water sources clean, and avoiding open defecation can significantly prevent diarrhoea. Through awareness and caution, individuals can stay healthy and keep their families and neighbours safe, it added.
As part of the campaign, adequate stocks of ORS packets, zinc tablets and medicines would be maintained at all anganwadi centres, health sub-centres and Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.
Health and anganwadi workers, ANMs, and multi-purpose health workers in rural and urban areas would be trained to identify and manage diarrhoea from the initial stages, the statement said. Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) teams from Jagatsinghpur and Khurda districts have been sent to Jajpur district to assist the health workers.
Mahaling advised the public to follow the advice of health workers and doctors and seek medical treatment at health centres if they experience diarrhoea.
He also visited the Kamakhyanagar sub-divisional hospital to review the situation with local representatives.
Central teams, who visited Jajpur district to study the situation, returned to Bhubaneswar and attended a review meeting with health officials. They recommended several steps to control the cholera and diarrhoea situation. "Cholera was detected in stool tests. The state health team is taking necessary steps.
They are also analysing the diarrhoeacases every day," said Dr Bhagirathi Dwivedi, a central team member.
Another team member, Dr Shibani Lahiri, said diarrhoea is in an endemic stage and there is a little surge in cases.
Health secretary Aswathy S said disinfection of drinking water sources will be done across the state as monsoon has already arrived. "We are taking all required steps to combat the situation," she added. She visited various areas of Jajpur district to conduct field-level monitoring and review the diarrhoea management programme. A review meeting with district administration primarily focused on the admission, immediate treatment, and recovery of diarrhoea patients.
She instructed that each diarrhoea case be mapped, and emphasised necessary treatment for admitted patients and their discharge from hospital only after full recovery.
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