Vitamin A prevention and anti-diarrhoea campaign launched in Salem and Namakkal

The Salem and Namakkal Collectors on Monday launched a Vitamin A prevention and anti-diarrhoea campaign in their respective districts.

Salem District Commissioner R. Brinda Devi inaugurated the campaign at Kumarasamipatti Government Urban Primary Health Centre in the presence of Mayor A. Ramachandran.

The Collector said the two campaigns will be carried out at all primary health centres, sub-health centres, government hospitals and anganwadi centres in the district from July 1 to 31.

At the national level, 10% of deaths among children under five years of age are due to diarrhoea. To prevent dehydration and prevent deaths due to diarrhoea, they need to be given Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS). Village health nurses and Anganwadi centre workers will distribute ORS packets and zinc tablets to children under five years of age and create awareness in their communities. The campaign will cover 281,000 children in the district.

Similarly, 262,000 children will be given Vitamin A through a Vitamin A prevention campaign, Devi added.

Deputy Mayor M. Saradadevi, Yoganand and Soundhamal District Deputy Directors of Health Services, Municipal Health Officer A. Mohan and officials from various departments were present.

In Namakkal district, District Commissioner S. Uma inaugurated two campaigns at the Anganwadi Centre in Siruvampatti. He said that the two campaigns will cover 1.13 lakh children in the district. Deputy Director of Health Services, Poongodi District and officials were present.