Chandigarh: Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh launched ‘Daast Roko Abhiyan 2025’ to prevent child deaths due to diarrhea. He ordered to conduct door-to-door survey to protect children. This campaign will run for two consecutive months. During this time, the focus will be on prevention of diarrhea, the major cause of mortality among children under five years of age. On this occasion, he also released awareness posters.
He said that diarrhea is a major cause of death in children, which is a very serious but preventable disease. This campaign reflects our commitment to the safety of every child through awareness, prevention and timely treatment. He said that the Health Department will adopt the Prevention-Prevention-Treatment (PPT) strategy, focusing on the high-risk monsoon months. The government will ensure the distribution of ORS-Zinc kits by going door-to-door with the help of ASHA workers. Besides, ORS-Zinc corners will be set up in all health institutions and Anganwadi centres and health workers will be trained for effective management of diarrhoeal cases. He said no child should die due to lack of treatment. He said we are ensuring that ORS, Zinc, IV fluids and antibiotics are available in every health centre.
He said awareness will be created on hand washing, safe drinking water, breastfeeding, hygiene and immunization. The Health Minister said diarrhoea is a preventable disease and hand hygiene, clean water and timely care can save precious lives. He appealed for cooperation from Panchayati Raj members, self-help groups, teachers and parents to take this campaign forward.
He said the Punjab Government is promoting inter-departmental collaboration with the departments of Education, Women and Child Development, Water and Sanitation and Rural Development to address the root causes of diarrhoea. Dr Balbir Singh stressed that this is not just a health issue but a fight for the future of Punjab and together we will defeat this disease.
