Psychosocial and stress are the major issues of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) besides the despair of having to abandon their homes, expressed Manipur Health Minister Sapam Ranjan on Monday.
He was responding to the media on the sidelines of the launching programme of STOP diarrhoea campaign at IMA hall, Lamphelpat.
“When the displaced persons are under stress, it is the duty of the mental health teams to visit and talk to them, provide counseling and whatever help they require,” he said.
He said that right from the beginning, the government has to make sure that mental health teams make regular visits and counsel people who are there.
“It is natural for everyone there to be under so much stress. The sadness will be there; they left their homes.The mental health teams have been sincerely working and taking steps towards their well being,” he said.
“Counseling is necessary when there is stress and other mental issues, and it is a long process which is important. We cannot sort everything out at one time. Mental health is not a subject where one can simply claim that ‘the doctor went and treatment has started’,” he said.
Health minister also launched ‘STOP diarrhoea campaign 2024’ with the slogan ‘Diarrhoea ki roktham, safai aur ORS se rakhen apna dhyan’, which will continue for two months from the launching day i.e. July 15 till September 14.
The state level launching event was organised by Child Health Division, State Health Society, NHM Manipur and Directorate of Health Services, at IMA hall.
In connection with the campaign, the health minister recounted that the education (S) director himself assured of directing all the government and private schools to include demonstration of hand washing at assembly sessions twice in a week.
In such a step, the health department official has to take big responsibility. And to reach grass root level, all ASHAs and Anganwadi should also take part in spreading awareness, he said.
Highlighting the situation of Manipur affected by violence and also by flood, he said that the medical team in collaboration with other officials concerned visited the flood affected side to provide medical facilities. At relief camps, regular health check-ups are conducted particularly on mental health issues, he mentioned.
“Our ultimate aim is to reach every nook and corner of the state. It would be team work. Number of diarrhoea cases differ from year to year, but this time the target is to reach 2.8 lakh children,” he said.
Social welfare director Ng Uttam stressed on maintaining clean water bodies, as they are a source of potable water. ASHAs and Anganwadi need to educate the people on handwashing and prescribing ORS, he stressed.
SNO of Child Health A Sylvia said the goal of the STOP diarrhoea campaign is to reach zero child deaths due to diarrhoea. Childhood diarrhoeal diseases contribute to 6 per cent of deaths in 0 to 5 yrs children which can be prevented by treating dehydration by using ORS, And two years above child with gina Zinc tablets.
Childhood diarrhoeal deaths can also be prevented through exclusive breastfeeding, timely introduction of complementary feeding, sanitation and hygiene, use of safe drinking water and immunisation against Rotavirus, she added.
The event was attended by special secretary (Health and family welfare), A Hungyo Worshang; health service director O Sanahanbi Devi; state health mission director M Dinesh.
