Diarrhoea accounts for 5.8% of under-five deaths in India. It is a public health problem second only to pneumonia. About 50000 children die of diarrhoea every year in our country mostly during summer and monsoon season.
Unhygienic parenting practices are the main causes of diarrhoea in children. Lack of hand hygiene, lack of awareness about hygiene and safe drinking water.
Health measures to be followed to prevent diarrhoea: Exclusive breastfeeding till 6 months after birth, consumption of safe drinking water and food, washing hands with soap and timely administration of ORS and ZINC tablets to children with diarrhoea can prevent death due to diarrhoea. Keeping this in mind, the Tamil Nadu Government has planned to hold a "Severe Diarrhoea Prevention Camp".
The main objective of the program is to completely avoid diarrhoea-related deaths among children under five years of age. This face is for two months from 1st July to 31st August (excluding Wednesday and Sunday) in all Anganwadi Centres Sub-Health Centers in Tamil Nadu. Held in all Government Primary Health Centers and Government Hospitals.
Accordingly, the first day of the camp was inaugurated by District Collector Kranthi Kumar Pati at Ramanathapuram Primary School. Corporation Commissioner Sivaguru Prabakran and Southern Assembly member Vanathi Srinivasan were present on the occasion.
According to the district administration, 3,04,951 children under the age of five are going to benefit from this scheme.