Bhubaneswar: The health and family welfare department has teamed up with the civic body to observe an intensified diarrhoea control month to sensitise residents about protective measures against it and other related disease that specifically occur during monsoon.

The department has made a communication in this regard where it has sought support from the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation in taking up various activities during the month. The intensified diarrhoea control month, which started on June 20, will end on July 19.

"The focus will be on children up to the age of five years, since they are more susceptible to diarrhoea," said a department official.

As part of the programmes, officials will take up several activities, including advocacy and awareness generation on diarrhoea among the vulnerable population, mainly in the slum settlements. Besides, they will distribute oral dehydration solution and zinc tablets to the households.

Special diarrhoea management cells will be made operational at state-run health centres across the city. These cells will have oral dehydration solutions and zinc corners for their distribution among the incoming patients. The ASHA and community health workers will be put in place to handle the cases. Diarrhoea occurs when a person suffers from repeated loose and watery bowel movements. It is a common condition and not considered serious, but might turn fatal if it sustains for longer periods, especially among children, say health experts, adding that diarrhoea occurrs mainly during monsoon.

"It is a good move to include diarrhoea in the activities to make people aware about the disease. I hope officials will succeed in their initiatives," said P.N. Sahoo, a medicine specialist.

Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena said they would collaborate with the department. "We have directed our health division to help the department officials in creating awareness," he said.