A District Task Force (DTF) meeting with allied departments on the Stop Diarrhoea Campaign 2026 and Routine Immunization (RI) was held at the DC Conference Hall, Kohima on May 26 under the Chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner, Kohima, B Henok Buchem.
The DC stressed the need to overcome stigma and misconceptions surrounding diarrhoea and health care practices. He observed that many people still rely on non-scientific forms of treatment, leading to avoidable health complications, particularly in far-flung areas where access to healthcare and awareness remain limited.
He said diarrhoeal diseases affect productivity in all sectors, including schools and workplaces, and called upon all departments to ensure that resources and manpower are effectively mobilized for the campaign. He urged all stakeholders to gear up and focus on the most important interventions to ensure the success of the campaign and improve child health outcomes in the district.
Delivering on the Stop Diarrhoea Campaign 2026 and Routine Immunization, DPO (RMNCAH+N), Dr. Khrievilhou Nakhro said that the ultimate goal of the Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF) is to attain zero child deaths due to diarrhoea through improved awareness on the use of ORS and Zinc and promotion of preventive and management measures for diarrhoea among children under five years.
He informed that the campaign would be conducted from June 16 to July 31, 2026, covering all children below five years of age, caregivers and households, with special focus on hard-to-reach areas, villages without sub-centres and vulnerable communities.
Dr Nakhro stated that diarrhoea occurs when stools become unusually frequent and watery, while dehydration results from excessive loss of water and salts from the body, which can become life-threatening if not treated on time. He emphasized that ORS helps restore lost fluids and electrolytes and that Zinc tablets help reduce the severity and frequency of diarrhoea while supporting the child’s growth and development.
During the campaign, he said ASHAs would distribute ORS packets and demonstrate the preparation and use of ORS and Zinc at the community level. Interpersonal awareness activities on sanitation, hygiene and diarrhoea management would also be carried out by CHOs and ANMs. Hand washing demonstrations would be conducted in schools and Anganwadi Centres, while ORS-Zinc corners would be established in health facilities for treatment of diarrhoeal cases.
The DPO also shared on continued breastfeeding, use of clean drinking water, handwashing practices and the need to immediately contact ASHA, ANM or doctors if children develop warning signs such as fever, blood in stool, inability to drink or worsening condition.
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Sharing the district’s achievements during the Stop Diarrhoea Campaign in 2024 and 2025, Dr. Nakhro informed that 16,479 children were provided ORS and Zinc in 2024, while the number increased to 20,147 in 2025. He also noted that mobile teams distributed ORS and Zinc to children in remote areas during the campaign period.
From April 2025 to March 2026, Kohima district achieved 120 percent coverage for Measles Rubella (MR) 1st Dose and 118 percent full immunization against the Headcount 2025 target of 2,088 infants. A total of 2,497 children received MR 1st Dose, while 2,468 children were fully immunized. The district also achieved 105 percent coverage for MR 2nd Dose with 2,198 beneficiaries.
Among the blocks, Kohima Sadar recorded the highest performance with 144 percent coverage for both MR 1st Dose and full immunization, while Jakhama and Tseminyu recorded 75-80 percent coverage in most categories. Against the Government of India Census target of 3,022 infants, the district achieved 83 percent MR 1st Dose coverage and 82 percent full immunization coverage.
On the roles and responsibilities of allied departments, Dr. Nakhro said the Social Welfare Department would create awareness through Anganwadi Centres and home visits along with ASHAs, while the School Education Department would conduct handwashing demonstrations and promote hygiene awareness in schools. NSRLM-RD would disseminate information on ORS and Zinc use among SHG households, PHED/JJM would support clean drinking water initiatives and water quality testing, while Urban Development, Municipal and Town Councils would assist in awareness generation and community mobilization.
He further called upon DTF members to sensitize the public about ongoing health activities, educate people on the importance of free immunization against vaccine-preventable diseases and encourage communities to avail medical services.
