A meeting of Longleng District Task Force for Immunization and Stop Diarrhoea was held on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Extra Assistant Commissioner (EAC) Longleng C Tsalimse Sangtam at the conference hall of Deputy Commissioner Office Longleng.

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Longleng Dr. Tiasunep while delivering his welcome address, gave a briefing on immunization, diarrhoea preventive measures and hygiene. He encouraged everyone present to disseminate the awareness about diarrhoea, usage of ORS and zinc tablets to the community.

Dr. Imtijungshi, District Immunization Officer (UIP-RCH) Longleng presented the status report of the immunization, district percentage of zero dose children, dropout rates, and the reasons for dropout.

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He further highlighted the challenges to achieving immunization coverage in the district. He called upon all the NGOs, and stakeholders for support in achieving the target percentage.

He also said diarrhoea is usually a symptom of an infection in the intestinal tract, which can be caused by a variety of bacterial, viral and parasitic organisms. Infection is spread through contaminated food, drinking or from person-to-person as a result of poor hygiene. Interventions like safe drinking-water, use of improved sanitation and hand washing with soap, can reduce disease risk or spread of diarrhoea, he added.

The official further advised that diarrhoea should be treated with oral rehydration solution (ORS), a solution of clean water, sugar and salt. In addition, a 10–14 days supplemental treatment course of dispersible zinc tablets should be taken to shorten diarrhoea duration and improves outcomes.

The EAC commented that all the convergent departments such as Social Welfare, School Education, and Health and Family Welfare should play an active role and ensure children take up doses of routine immunization vaccine also in supporting the elimination campaign.