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Diarrhoea Fight: 37.5 Lakh Kids Get Free Meds
15 Jun
Summary
- Over 37.5 lakh children under five will receive free zinc and ORS.
- The 'Stop Diarrhoea' campaign runs until July 31.
- Diarrhoea is a leading cause of death for young children in India.
The Department of Health, Medical and Family Welfare has initiated the 'Stop Diarrhoea' campaign, set to run until July 31. This statewide program aims to distribute free zinc tablets and Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) packets to 37,53,850 identified children below five years of age. The distribution commenced on June 16.
This coordinated effort involves multiple government departments and adheres to national health guidelines. Beyond medicine distribution, the campaign emphasizes raising awareness on crucial health practices such as breastfeeding, hand hygiene, consuming safe drinking water, and eating hygienic food. Auxiliary Nurse Midwives and Accredited Social Health Activists are facilitating household and Anganwadi center deliveries.
According to Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav, diarrhoea is the fifth leading cause of death among children under five in India. He noted a positive trend, with the prevalence of diarrhoea in this age group decreasing from 7.2% to 4.8%, attributed to ongoing awareness campaigns, improved sanitation, and accessible safe water facilities.
