53,295 children in Chamba to get zinc, ORS supplements

Under the second phase of the campaign, the Intensive Diarrhea-Pneumonia Control Fortnight will be observed from November 12 to 27 to distribute ORS and Zinc supplements to 53,295 children under the age of five in Chamba district. Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Repaswal said this while presiding over a meeting today to review the effective implementation of the fortnight programme.

Repaswal reviewed a detailed action plan prepared by the Health Department and directed officials concerned to ensure active participation of the Women and Child Development Department, Social Welfare Department, panchayati raj institutions, urban local bodies and self-help groups for the smooth execution and monitoring of activities.

He said that priority should be given to migrant settlements and vulnerable areas during the campaign. He directed the Jal Shakti Department to ensure pre-winter cleaning of all drinking water sources. He also asked the Education Department to complete post-monsoon cleaning of water storage tanks in all schools in a time-bound manner.

The Deputy Commissioner instructed the Health Department to provide detailed data on child deaths in the district over the past one year due to diarrhea and related diseases. Chief Medical Officer Dr Bipen Thakur said that the required medicines and awareness materials had been stocked in every health block. He added that ASHA workers would distribute ORS packets to every household with children under five years of age and educate mothers on diarrhea prevention, hygiene and the proper use of ORS and zinc solutions.