Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, Jul 29:
Out of every 100 children, five to six of them die from diarrhoea in Manipur every year and half of the hospital beds are occupied by children suffering from the disease during the month of May, June and July, Dr Chourajit has stated.
Speaking at the inaugural function of the ORS Week being organised by Indian Academy of Paediatrics, Manipur State Branch at Nursing School, RIMS today, Dr Chourajit said that though diarrhoea is the most common disease among children, it can be prevented very easily.
Dr Chourajit, who was the chief guest at the function said, despite the increase in the level of literacy among the Manipuri women, they do not practice and utilise their knowledge in dealing with the disease afflicting their children and remain deep in superstitious belief.
Children suffering from diarrhoea can be cured easily by providing liquid food which are easily available at the house, but this is rarely done, Dr Chourajit said.
While pointing out that Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) is the most effective medicine for children suffering from diarrhoea, Dr Chourajit said this medicine is available in all the Government hospitals and Anganwadi centres.
If the ORS is not available, then sugar or salt solution can be provided to the affected children, he added.
Giving details on preparing the solution, Dr Chourajit said one ORS packet should be mixed in 1 litre of water and given to the child patient right from the day he/she started having loose motion till the problem persist.
There is also no harm in providing the solution even if the child is being fed on mother's milk, he said.
Dr H Jaswanta Singh of Manipur Health Science said around 500 million children suffer from diarrhoea every year in the world out of which 5 million of them died from it.
As for India, 1.5 million of children died from diarrhoea every year, he said.
Dr Jaswanta further pointed out that prepared OR solution should not kept for more than 24 hours.
The ORS week is being observed under the theme of 'Comprehensive management of diarrhoea'.