Bhubaneswar: With the onset of the rainy season, the Odisha Government has launched a statewide “Stop Diarrhea” campaign to prevent and control water-borne diarrheal diseases. The campaign, inaugurated by Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling at Bhuban Community Health Center in Dhenkanal district, will run until July 31st.
Minister Dr.Mahaling emphasized that both the Central and State Governments, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, are prioritizing public health. He highlighted the extensive efforts being made, including awareness programs, improved healthcare services, and the provision of essential medical supplies.
The campaign focuses on promoting good hygiene practices such as regular handwashing, consuming safe food and water, maintaining clean water sources, and avoiding open defecation. To ensure widespread access to treatment, adequate stocks of ORS packets, zinc tablets, and other medicines have been made available at all Anganwadi centers, Health Sub-centers, Community Centers, and Health Temples.
Frontline health workers, including Anganwadi workers, ANMs, and multi-purpose health workers, have been trained on early detection and management of diarrheal diseases. They are directed to conduct door-to-door visits, distributing information leaflets, ORS, and zinc tablets, and advising the public to seek medical attention at health centers immediately if symptoms appear.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Dhenkanal MP Shri Rudra Narayan Pani, local MLAs, and district officials. Following the event, Minister Mahaling visited Kamakhyanagar Sub-district Hospital to review the diarrhea situation and ensure preparedness.
At the state level, top health officials, including Divisional Special Administrative Secretary Dr. Jitendra Bebarta, Public Health Director Dr. Nilakantha Mishra, and Family Welfare Director Dr. Sanjukta Sahu, released Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials. District Chief Medical and Public Health Officers and other health program managers were briefed via video conferencing on the campaign’s objectives and management, with detailed instructions on ORS and zinc dosage for children aged 0-5 years. The establishment of ORS and zinc counters at various health centers was also advised.
The comprehensive “Stop Diarrhea” campaign aims to significantly reduce the incidence of diarrheal diseases and ensure the well-being of the populace during the monsoon season.