Punjab Launches “STOP Diarrhoea Campaign” to Protect Children, Orders Door-to-Door Survey

Chandigarh, July 15, 2025: Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Tuesday launched the “STOP Diarrhoea Campaign 2025,” aimed at drastically reducing child deaths from diarrhoea in the state.

Calling diarrhoea a major yet preventable cause of mortality among children under five, Dr Singh emphasized, “Each child’s life lost is a tragic and avoidable loss. This campaign is our pledge to protect every child through awareness, prevention, and timely treatment.”

Running for two months during the high-risk monsoon period, the campaign will follow a Prevent-Protect-Treat (PPT) strategy. The state will conduct door-to-door surveys and distribute ORS-Zinc kits via ASHA workers. ORS-Zinc Corners will be set up at health facilities and Anganwadi centres, and healthcare workers’ skills will be upgraded to manage diarrhoea cases swiftly.

“No child should die from a treatable condition. We are ensuring ORS, Zinc, IV fluids, and antibiotics are stocked at every health facility,” Dr Singh said.

Beyond medical care, the campaign prioritizes community mobilization for hygiene practices, safe drinking water, exclusive breastfeeding, sanitation, and immunization.

“Diarrhoea is preventable—clean hands, clean water, and timely care save lives,” urged the Minister, appealing for support from panchayat leaders, self-help groups, teachers, and parents.

Dr Singh also highlighted the government’s inter-departmental efforts with Education, Women and Child Development, Water & Sanitation, and Rural Development to address root causes.

He further advised people to maintain clean surroundings, drink safe water, and begin ORS-Zinc treatment promptly if diarrhoea occurs, recommending traditional drinks like lemonade (shakanji) to stay hydrated.

Meanwhile, on the same occasion, an MoU was signed under the National Rabies Control Programme with animal welfare NGO Peedu in SAS Nagar. The collaboration aims to prepare Punjab’s State Action Plan for Rabies Elimination by 2030 and involves staff training and counseling at Anti-Rabies Clinics, starting in Mohali and expanding statewide.

Present at the event were Principal Secretary Health Kumar Rahul, Director Health and Family Welfare Dr Hitinder Kaur, and several other senior health officials.