LEH: As part of the nationwide STOP Diarrhoea Campaign 2026–27, the Health Department on Saturday conducted an extensive awareness programme on diarrhoea prevention and management across educational institutions and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) centres in Sakti, while establishing dedicated ORS and Zinc Corners to improve preparedness for childhood diarrhoeal illnesses.
The campaign, being observed from July 10 to August 21 under the directions of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, was led by Dr. Jigmet Wangchuk, Medical Officer, AAM-Primary Health Centre (PHC), Sakti, along with FMPHW Mrs. Palkit and Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs). Awareness sessions were organised at Manjushri Lamdon Model School, PM SHRI Government Middle School, Sakti, and adjoining ICDS centres.
Students, teachers, Anganwadi Workers, ASHAs and school staff participated in the programme, which focused on equipping the community with practical knowledge on preventing and managing diarrhoeal diseases, particularly among children.
Health officials sensitised participants to the causes of diarrhoea, preventive measures and the importance of early treatment, stressing the role of safe drinking water, food hygiene, sanitation, water quality monitoring and personal hygiene in reducing the incidence of the disease.
A practical demonstration on the SUMAN-K Hand Washing protocol was conducted, during which students and teachers were guided through the recommended hand-washing technique and informed about critical occasions when hand hygiene should be practised to minimise the risk of infection.
The programme also placed emphasis on the timely use of Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) and Zinc tablets in the treatment of childhood diarrhoea. Health workers explained the correct method of preparing and administering ORS, while highlighting that early administration of ORS and Zinc helps prevent dehydration, shortens the duration of illness and reduces the risk of severe complications and child mortality.
To strengthen community preparedness, ORS and Zinc Corners were established at both schools and the attached ICDS centres. The facilities have been stocked with ORS packets and Zinc tablets to enable immediate response to diarrhoeal cases while reinforcing health education among children, caregivers and frontline workers.
The awareness programme concluded with an appeal to students, teachers, Anganwadi Workers and community members to promote regular hand washing with soap, ensure access to safe drinking water and encourage timely treatment of diarrhoeal illnesses within their households and communities, in line with the campaign’s objective of reducing preventable child deaths under the slogan, “STOP Diarrhoea – Save Lives.”
