Leh, June 17: Health and Family Welfare (H&FW) Department, Leh successfully launched the Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF) to be observed from June 17 to 30 in the presence of the chief guest Senior Regional Director, H&FW, GOI, Dr Shaziya Wafai.

Chief Medical Officer, Leh, Dr Nurzin Angmo; Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Leh, Dr Manzoor-ul-Haq; District Immunization Officer, Dr Diskit Dolma; District Health Officer, Dr Skarma Yountan; State National Health Mission (NHM) Reproductive Chile Health (RCH) Consultant, Dr Rinchen Angmo, officials of Health Department and ASHA workers of Leh town were also present.

Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF) consists of a set of activities to be implemented in an intensified manner for prevention and control of deaths among children due to dehydration from diarrhoea across all States & UTs. These activities mainly include- intensification of advocacy & awareness generation activities for diarrhea management, strengthening service provision for diarrhoea case management, establishment of ORS-Zinc corners at all Health facilities, distribution of ORS by ASHA in households with under-five children and awareness generation activities for hygiene and sanitation.

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Dr Shaziya Wafai, chief guest highlighted the importance of the IDCF, the pivotal and crucial roles played by ASHAs and ANMs in prevention of the diarrhoeal cases. She spoke on the steps to undertake for the IDCF activities, target beneficiaries who are the mothers and children (below the age of 5 years). She also spoke in detail about achieving the goals of IDCF program.

Chief Medical Officer, Leh, Dr Nurzin Angmo spoke on the goal and aim of observing the Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF)to attain zero child deaths due to childhood diarrhoea.

Consultant, NHM RCH, Dr Rinchen Angmo shared measures for control of diarrhoea which is preventable. She spoke on the importance of awareness and distribution of ORS and Zinc tablets, hand washing demonstration during Village Health, Nutrition & Sanitation (VHNSs) gatherings.

At the end, DIO Leh, Dr Diskit Dolma expressed gratitude to the guests for the successful launch of IDCF. She advised people to be alert during the monsoon season, and stressed on ASHAs roles and responsibility to look after all the children including non-locals.

On the occasion, Dr Shaziya Wafai also inaugurated the facility level-based ORS Zinc Corner at SNM Hospital Leh.

ORS and Zinc Corners are established at all Health Centers of Leh district and are available for all free of cost.