BHUBANESWAR: Even as Odisha battles with high incidence of diarrhoea among children, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) is all set to launch an extensive programme on ‘Management and prevention of childhood diarrhoea’ to combat the menace in the State.The programme would be launched in five districts of Rayagada, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Koraput and Kandhamal in association with Unicef and NRHM. These five districts, which are predominantly tribal, have been witnessing frequent outbreaks of cholera over the recent years.The programme envisages gearing up the medical workforce in the districts to adopt the latest protocol in treatment for childhood diarrhoea and thus, curb mortality in the region. The thrust is on promotion of the Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) involving administration of ORS along with Zinc among the diarrhoea affected children, as per the new guidelines issued by the WHO and Unicef.Diarrhoea is a major contributor to the deaths of children between one and five years. While it is estimated that more than 1,000 children lose their lives due to the disease everyday in the country, the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) has presented a grim picture in the State. The NFHS 3 report has revealed that more than 41 per cent of children below three years in Odisha had been affected by diarrhoea within the two months prior to the study period.“The objective is to adhere to the ORT, which has a very high success rate in managing diarrhoea, and curb the tendency to prescribe anti-microbials by the doctors. Anti-biotics are not needed in most of the diarrhoea cases, but majority of doctors tend to prescribe them from the first visit of the patient itself. We intend to promote the ORS with Zinc adjuvant for treatment of diarrhoea and do away with needless administration of antibiotics”, IMA State president Dr B K Mishra said.According to the Unicef, Zinc given with ORS reduces duration of diarrhoea episode by up to 25 per cent and is associated with 30 per cent decrease in stool volume.Three paediatricians from IMA have been trained for implementing the programme on the ground. They will train and sensitise both the Government and private practitioners in the intervened districts to adopt the best practices in treatment within this year.“We intend to extend the programme to all the 30 districts in the State through our 41 branches. All our 4,000 members would be sensitised on the issue”, Dr Mishra said.The issue of concern, though, is non-availability of Zinc solutions or tablets through Government supply as it has been caught in some legal hurdles. With the solution or tablets in private store costing more, the compliance level is low. The Government has to make a way out in ensuring supply of Zinc along with ORS to the patients, Dr Mishra emphasised.
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