STOP Diarrhoea-2025: Kurukshetra health mission aims for 0 child death

In a determined effort to prevent child deaths caused by diarrhoea, the Health Department in Kurukshetra has launched the STOP Diarrhoea Campaign-2025. With the goal of achieving zero fatalities among children under the age of five, the campaign is focused on awareness, early treatment and hygiene education, particularly during the high-risk summer and monsoon seasons.

The campaign was officially launched on Monday at the paediatric ward of Lok Nayak Jai Parkash (LNJP) District Civil Hospital by District Civil Surgeon Dr Sukhbir Singh. Deputy Civil Surgeon (Child Health) Dr Manisha Singh explained that diarrhoea remains a serious health concern for young children during the warmer months. While earlier, only a fortnight-long programme was conducted each year, the campaign has now been extended from June 16 to July 31, in response to a surge in seasonal cases.

Under the campaign, around 84,000 children in the 0-5 age group will be covered through door-to-door visits by ASHA workers and health department teams. Each child will receive two packets of Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) and a strip of zinc tablets. Health workers are also educating families about the correct method to prepare and administer ORS and the importance of zinc in managing diarrhoea.

Dr Manisha Singh emphasised that the campaign is not limited to treatment but also focuses on prevention. Community awareness efforts are underway to highlight the role of hygiene, especially proper handwashing, safe drinking water and nutrition in preventing diarrhoea. After schools reopen post-summer break, health department teams will visit schools to educate students and train them in handwashing techniques.

The department has set up Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) centres across the district. These include 26 Primary Health Centres (PHCs), various Community Health Centres (CHCs), 119 sub-centres and 1,075 Anganwadi Centres. These facilities are playing a crucial role in distributing supplies and ensuring timely treatment for affected children.

In addition to medical interventions, the health department is working closely with the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) to monitor water sanitation and prevent pipeline leakages. This collaboration is essential to ensure the supply of clean drinking water to households.

Dr Singh said the campaign would help in the early identification of diarrhoea cases, timely treatment and necessary referrals to higher health facilities. Through a mix of medical care, public awareness and community involvement, Kurukshetra’s STOP Diarrhoea Campaign 2025 is taking a comprehensive approach to protect its youngest citizens.